The Bell Jar

Spoiler Alert: For some, the world itself is a bad dream

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This. is. my. favorite. book. Written by Sylvia Plath, my now favorite writer of all time, The Bell Jar is a beautiful and haunting depiction of alienation, the struggle with perfectionism, depression, and womanhood. In this semi-autographical novel, the story follows Esther Greenwood and her slow descent into madness during the summer of 1953. Parallel to Plath's own breakdown, the result is an incredibly poignant and eloquent look into Esther's psyche and the constant ways she feels inadequate. Both painful and relatable, it can safely be said that this story was ahead of its time. In fact, the book has been described as the "first female story told in a Salinger mood" -- and became for many the female equivalent of Catcher in the Rye. While I do agree that a similar tone is echoed -- and both stories have affected me greatly -- The Bell Jar stands alone. This in depth and striking retelling of Plath's own struggle with depression has stayed in my head for long after its first reading. Seamlessly balancing real life experiences with situations that are almost universally relatable, every page of this story seeps with emotion and truth. In addition to handling issues of mental illness, the story also addresses a number of worries and problems that Esther has in her time. For example, the character of Buddy is Esther's longtime boyfriend and expected to be fiancee. But Esther, inwardly quite critical of most people, secretly despises him. She sees Buddy as a hypocrite and a raging misogynist, despite the fact that everyone around her counts her lucky to be with him. It is through Buddy's character that readers are likely to sympathize with Esther and the terrible double standards of her time, not the least of which concerned sexuality and freedom. Esther, despite being incredibly bright and intelligent (constantly winning awards and scholarships), is expected by her mother to get a sensible "woman's" job while her husband does the breadwinning. In addition to these limiting expectations, Esther, in the midst of her depression, must also grapple with the fact that perhaps even her perfect record has its limits. She wrestles with the idea that despite her many accomplishments, she is at her core, incompetent and unqualified. As her own brain attacks her and makes her constantly overthink, she must also decide what kind of future she wants to pave for herself. A professor? A writer? A world traveller? She knows that time is not on her side. While navigating all of these many issues with insight and stunning language, Esther proves to be an admirable and strong character. At least speaking for myself, I not only felt a large part of myself reflected in her, but also found myself wanting to befriend her -- and by extension perhaps Sylvia herself. Your struggles and mental health issues do not define you, but rather make you stronger. Entering the "bell jar" and coming out with a few scars is perhaps the most brave journey one will ever have to make -- and it is a journey invisible to onlookers. Destined to stay with me forever, and as previously said one of my favorite books of all time, this story has touched my heart and soul to the deepest extent. I hope Esther will find anyone who needs her and help them as she has helped me.

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Favorite Quotes: “If you expect nothing from somebody you are never disappointed.” ~~ “I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.” ~~ “I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.” ~~ “I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;I lift my eyes and all is born again.” ~~ “The trouble was, I had been inadequate all along, I simply hadn't thought about it.” ~~ “When they asked me what I wanted to be I said I didn’t know."Oh, sure you know," the photographer said."She wants," said Jay Cee wittily, "to be everything.” ~~ “I felt very still and empty, the way the eye of a tornado must feel, moving dully along in the middle of the surrounding hullabaloo.” ~~ “I was supposed to be having the time of my life.”