Why did Sylvia Plath use a pseudonym?
The Bell Jar was published under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. Plath used a pseudonym for two reasons: one was to protect the people she fictionalized in the booknot only would it embarrass her mother, but her publisher worried about libel suits.
Is the bell jar a coming of age story?
The Bell Jar falls squarely in the category of coming-of-age fiction. It traces the path of Esther Greenwood, the main character and narrator, as she undergoes a critical period in her life where she transitions from a naïve adolescent to an experienced young woman.
Is the bell jar a Bildungsroman?
The Bell Jar is a 1963 novel by American author Sylvia Plath. The concept of a “bildungsroman” is a novel which depicts the coming-of-age of a (usually young) character. Although The Bell Jar tells the story of the protagonist’s depression, it can still be read as depicting her coming-of-age.
How many chapters does the bell jar have?
20 chapters
How does Esther try to kill herself?
She could not find a suitable place, however, and tried to kill herself by pulling the rope tightly around her neck, but every time she started to feel woozy, her hands weakened and loosened their hold on the rope.
What does the ending of the bell jar mean?
When gripped by insanity, she feels as if she is inside an airless jar that distorts her perspective on the world and prevents her from connecting with the people around her. At the end of the novel, the bell jar has lifted, but she can sense that it still hovers over her, waiting to drop at any moment.
What happened to Esther in the bell jar?
She ultimately overdoses on sleeping pills but survives. Esther is admitted to a mental institute, where she is treated by a progressive psychiatrist who, among other things, eases her concerns about premarital sex and encourages her to obtain a diaphragm.
Is the bell jar depressing?
She has high expectations of others, but disregards them when these are not met. The Bell Jar is a very powerful and believable description of depression, which will be recognised by those who have been affected and enlighten those who have not.
What was the fitting in the bell jar?
Answer and Explanation: In Chapter 18 of The Bell Jar, Esther goes to the doctor to have a “fitting”. This means that she wants to be measured for a diaphragm, a…
What does it mean to have a fitting?
If you say that someone will have a fit when they hear about something, you mean that they will be very angry or shocked.