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pandoraschaos 's review for:
The Bell Jar
by Sylvia Plath
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this to complete the Goodreads Centennial picks reading challenge task.
I’d never really done much research about Sylvia Plath. I knew about her suicide but that was it.
The Bell Jar is RIFE with racial slurs and racist undertones. It was so jarring to hear in the audiobook. It made me look into Sylvia a bit more and apparently this was one of the biggest criticisms of her work.
I think the mental health aspect was really interesting though. It really highlighted how far we’ve come since the 50’s (and how far we still have yet to go!). But it is glaringly obvious that it’s from a relatively privileged, white woman’s perspective.
As someone who didn’t read many literary “classics” at a younger age (in the late 90’s, early 20’s), reading them now with my expanded world views can be hard to stomach, even if they are “products of their time”. But it’s also a great reminder of how things have changed since then, but not nearly enough.
I’d never really done much research about Sylvia Plath. I knew about her suicide but that was it.
The Bell Jar is RIFE with racial slurs and racist undertones. It was so jarring to hear in the audiobook. It made me look into Sylvia a bit more and apparently this was one of the biggest criticisms of her work.
I think the mental health aspect was really interesting though. It really highlighted how far we’ve come since the 50’s (and how far we still have yet to go!). But it is glaringly obvious that it’s from a relatively privileged, white woman’s perspective.
As someone who didn’t read many literary “classics” at a younger age (in the late 90’s, early 20’s), reading them now with my expanded world views can be hard to stomach, even if they are “products of their time”. But it’s also a great reminder of how things have changed since then, but not nearly enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Death of parent