The Bell Jar
Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath
www.biography.com/people/Syliva-Plath-9442550
About The Bell Jar:
Esther Greenwood is a young woman from the suburbs of Boston. Esther is given the chance to work a summer internship at a prominent magazine in New York City under editor Jay Cee. Unfortunately, Esther isn't stimulated or excited by the big city and the glamorous culture/lifestyle that girls her age are expected to love. Instead, her experiences frighten and disorient her. This leads her to many struggles she faces through out the novel.
Where it takes place:
New York City, NY: Where Esther's internship took place.
Boston, MA: Esther's hometown.
Main Characters:
- Esther Greenwood
- Buddy Willard
- Mrs. Greenwood
- Mrs. Willard
- Dr. Nolan
- Dr. Gordon
- Doreen
- Jay Cee
- Philomena Guinea
- Constantin
- Marco
- Eric
- Irwin
- DoDo Conway
- Ms. Norris
- Valerie
- Dee Dee
Esther:
Main Events:
-Esther Greenwood works as an intern at a women's magazine in New York City, but she feels an overwhelming sense of distance from who she is supposed to be.
Conflicts:
-Esther returns home for the summer, where her cursed relationship with her mother and her rejection from a summer writing program make her feel even worse than before.
-Esther attempts suicide, but is saved just in time.
-After her terrible experience in the psychiatric wards of two different hospitals, Esther ends up at a private institution where she finds a more suitable environment.
-While Esther's condition improves, her friend Joan's condition appears to but is really getting worse. After Esther's one-night stand with a Harvard professor, Joan commits suicide.
-Esther steps into her exit interview at the psychiatric institution.