Recently I was watching Loosewomen on ITV1 and they were discussing whether it is better to be a pessimist or an optimist...I must say if any of them had read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath they would soon know the answer! Its definately better to be an optimist!
The Bell Jar follows the life of Esther Greenwood, a young woman from the suburbs of Boston, USA, as she slowly has a breakdown. It must be mentioned that this novel is a semi-autobiographical with people's names and places changed. It is reflective of Sylvia Plaths life who sadly committed suicide a month after the 1st publication of the novel.
The Bell Jar is slow going initially and it takes a few chapters to connect with the main character. However, once that connection is made it feels like you're having a break down with her. The story is delicately written with an air of ruthlessness. Plath approaches the topic in a softness that would not offend any one but shows the feelings of the character without diluting them. The skill that Plath has used to do this is worthy of all praise!
When reading The Bell Jar it did feel as though it jumped around and this I found annoying. However, after finishing the book I realised that this is another reflection of what it could be like to have a breakdown. Yet again clever writing from Plath. Also, this combined with hardly ever mentioning the characters name beautifully reflects the process of emotions when having a breakdown. It clearly shows that Plath experienced these feelings.
In conclusion, after reading the The Bell Jar I feel that I truely understand what it feels like to suffer with depression and likewise. The line of the book being, 'it felt like a bell jar had been lifted from around me' and at that point it all makes sense. This is not a fast paced high action book but once that connection is made its hard to put down!
Rating 4/5.
The article that the Loosewomen based their discussion on:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/mental_health/article6716622.ece
The Bell Jar follows the life of Esther Greenwood, a young woman from the suburbs of Boston, USA, as she slowly has a breakdown. It must be mentioned that this novel is a semi-autobiographical with people's names and places changed. It is reflective of Sylvia Plaths life who sadly committed suicide a month after the 1st publication of the novel.
The Bell Jar is slow going initially and it takes a few chapters to connect with the main character. However, once that connection is made it feels like you're having a break down with her. The story is delicately written with an air of ruthlessness. Plath approaches the topic in a softness that would not offend any one but shows the feelings of the character without diluting them. The skill that Plath has used to do this is worthy of all praise!
When reading The Bell Jar it did feel as though it jumped around and this I found annoying. However, after finishing the book I realised that this is another reflection of what it could be like to have a breakdown. Yet again clever writing from Plath. Also, this combined with hardly ever mentioning the characters name beautifully reflects the process of emotions when having a breakdown. It clearly shows that Plath experienced these feelings.
In conclusion, after reading the The Bell Jar I feel that I truely understand what it feels like to suffer with depression and likewise. The line of the book being, 'it felt like a bell jar had been lifted from around me' and at that point it all makes sense. This is not a fast paced high action book but once that connection is made its hard to put down!
Rating 4/5.
The article that the Loosewomen based their discussion on:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/mental_health/article6716622.ece
Also there is a film called Sylvia with Daniel Craig and Gwyneth Paltrow which is about Sylvia Plaths life. I found this insightful and made the book so much more heartfelt! The link for the trailer is below:
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