Chapter One
What is the main character's name in "The Bell Jar"?
Answer: Who is Esther Greenwood?
Who is Doreen, and what role does she play in Esther's life?
Doreen is Esther's friend who represents a more rebellious lifestyle.
What is the primary theme introduced in Chapter Three?
The theme of mental health and societal expectations is introduced.
Describe the setting of the first chapter.
The story begins in New York City during the summer of the 1950s.
What event does Esther attend that influences her views on life?
Esther attends a fashion show, which makes her feel out of place.
Is Esther honest with Jay Cee (her boss) about how she is feeling towards her internship?
Not at all. She doesn't feel like she is on the right path.
What does Esther struggle with in the beginning of the novel?
Esther struggles with her identity and societal expectations.
How does Esther's internship impact her feelings about her future?
Esther feels overwhelmed and disillusioned with the expectations of adulthood.
Discuss the role of the city in Chapter Three. How does it contribute to Esther's feelings?
The city is portrayed as both vibrant and oppressive, reflecting Esther's conflicting emotions.
What does the bell jar symbolize in the context of Esther's life?
The bell jar symbolizes Esther's mental illness and feeling of suffocation.
What literary device does Sylvia Plath use frequently in Chapter Two to express Esther's thoughts?
Plath uses stream of consciousness to depict Esther's internal struggles.
What does Esther's relationship with her peers reveal about her character?
It reveals her feelings of isolation and her struggle to fit in.
How does Esther's perception of the world around her change in Chapter One?
Esther feels disconnected from the world and increasingly alienated from those around her.
Analyze the significance of Esther's relationship with her mother in this chapter.
Esther's relationship with her mother highlights the pressures she feels to conform to traditional female roles.
What does the climax of Chapter Three reveal about Esther's mental state?
It reveals her deepening sense of despair and her struggle with depression.