A review by vyxbui
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

this is a story about freedom. as esther greenwood navigates her life, she quickly learns about her place and power as a (mentally ill) impoverished woman in the 1950s. throughout the novel, the main social commentary provided by plath was on a woman’s ambitions, future (marriage and having kids), and notion of “purity” enforced by society, as well as religion. esther uses her virginity as a weapon against societal expectations and oppression. this book was filled to the brim in literary devices, as well as social commentary, ranging from the oppressive and patriarchal system, to the societal vs. self expectations (esther has raging impostor syndrome), to education and ambition, society’s view and alienation of those suffering from mental illnesses, and the arrogance and coldness of doctors and questioning medicinal practices, especially in psychiatry.
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