The Bell Jar is a novel by Sylvia Plath, published in 1963, under the pen name of Victoria Lucas. It is considered a semi-autobiographical fiction work about Plath’s depression and struggles for identity during the 1950s. The novel is narrated by protagonist Esther Greenwood as she moves from college student in Massachusetts to a short stint at a magazine in New York City. Throughout her journey, Esther’s mental health deteriorates and she tries to cope not only with her inner demons but with the expectations of society and the hunger for her success as a woman.
Chapter 1 opens with Esther Greenwood arriving in New York City to work for a prominent women’s magazine. Esther is both excited and apprehensive about her life in the city. She tries to enjoy her trips to the fashion shows, but instead she starts to feel overwhelmed and lost in the bright lights and bustling city streets. Esther retreats more and more into herself, and her acknowledgment of her depression is the first indicator of the “bell jar” which hangs over Esther's head and the novel for the remainder of the story.
In Chapter 2, Esther goes to the strangest tea-party ever. She is a guest at a wealthy aunt's house and introduced to a variety of oddities including a "dry lake." Esther tries to act as if she just has her wits about her in order to impress the other guests, however, Esther feels increasingly out of her depth and she struggles to feel connected to the conversations and her surroundings. However, despite her internal turmoil, Esther does make connections with the other guests, who all appear to be over-the-top versions of themselves.
When Chapter 3 begins, Esther has returned to her home in Massachusetts and is quickly beginning to unravel. Despite promising her mother she would find a job, Esther spends her days in bed, rarely seeing her old college friends, and instead of employment, she is reading Divorce in Massachusetts suggesting how marriage might not be the right option for her. She also spends a lot of time reflecting on her own thoughts and feelings towards the dominant women’s culture of the time.
The novel’s turning point comes in Chapter 4, Esther’s eyes are drawn to a display of electric appliances and she experiences the fear of being electrocuted in her bed. This experience pushes Esther into a deep despair and she decides to seek help from a psychiatrist. After an initial evaluation, Esther is admitted to a mental hospital in Massachusetts.
The theme of Chapter 5 is recovery and Esther is slowly making progress with the help of Dr. Gordon. Esther discovers that talking about her problems is therapeutic and how a lot of her hurt is coming from the societal pressures she faces as a woman.
The novel comes full circle in Chapter 6 when Esther wakes up feeling reborn. She is leaving the hospital and is finally in a better mental state. Her awakening is further emphasized when she drives through the countryside and has an epiphany that she has no need to jump into a “bell jar” ever again. She also starts to develop a plan for the future and tentatively makes plans to start a new life.
Epilogue brings closure to the novel as Esther has managed to turn a new leaf and move on with her life. The novel ends with Esther crossing the English Channel to start a new journey to London, and it is suggested that she is on her path to finding her true identity.
The Bell Jar is a powerful and haunting novel that provides insight into how depression and societal pressures can affect an individual. It is a timeless story about identity, coming of age and the importance of self-discovery and self-confidence.
