The Bell Jar essays

The Bell Jar essays In the novel The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, the novel is set in America in the 1950s. The settings in the novel are often used as backdrops where Sylvia develops her critics. The protagonist Esther Greenwood ¡s experience in different places serves as critics of the idea that each place represents. The settings of the novel include metropolitan New York, suburban Boston and mental institutions. The novel began with Esther ¡s visit to New York after she had won her scholarship. Sylvia Plath used New York as a background where she develops her criticism for the American ideals of a metropolis. It ¡s here in New York that Esther develops the sense of detachment and inadequacy with the society and her peers. The chic metropolitan New York lifestyle was suppose to dazzle a small town girl like Esther, however its superficiality not only fail to impress her, it was loath upon. Esther has an enviable academic success, a New York way of lifestyle was what people expected Esther to live through and expected her to marvel and enjoy. Sylvia Plath ¡s tone of the narratives on the environment of New York are often critical. These show Esther never truly enjoy her stay in New York, Sylvia Plath ¡s descriptions often conveys a sense of dry and choking:  ¡Ã‚ ¡Kfake country wet freshness ¡K ¡  ¡Ã‚ ¡Kdry, cindery dust blew into my eyes ¡K ¡  ¡Ã‚ ¡Kfizzled to nothing outside the slick marble ¡K.of Madison Ave ¡ She never enjoyed the company of her peers.  ¡Girls like that makes me sick. ¡ None of them except Doreen, have any insights or distinctive character. To her, they were drowning in decadence and boredom. However, she seemed to be the only one who is feeling this way. Because all other girls believe that was the way it should be and Doreen was able to live an exciting life. Sylvia Plath also used New York as a symbol of career expectation for woman. It ¡s here Esther lost faith in society and was greatly disappointed...