1. Introduction
Madness is an important aspect in literature - especially madness of female writers respectively madness of female chief characters is interesting to deal with concerning the social role of women in the cause of time.
It [madness] is that state of mind where a person’s feelings or beliefs about himself […] are completely disrupted, making him unable to function in whatever social role – husband, parent, friend, employee – he might expect to enjoy. It is the state where the sufferer passes beyond the bounds of reality, intelligibility, and rationality as defined by the bulk of society. The psychotic is a stranger among his own people. (Nettle 12)
A character consistent to this definition of madness is Esther Greenwood in Silvia Plath’s autobiographical novel The Bell Jar which was published 1963. Being a young intelligent woman, Esther becomes mad as a result of the mental stress to conform to the traditional role of women or to break tradition. Esther Greenwood is passive and unable to be agent of her life. Never having learned how to develop herself as an independent individual, she is dependent on others and follows their ideals of a fulfilling life. She is torn between starting a family and starting a career. According to this, The Bell Jar reveals the difficulty of becoming an adult, by breaking tradition to be able to realize one’s personal scheme of life. As Susan Bassnett points out, “The Bell Jar is a novel about a suicide attempt that fails; but it is also a novel about a woman who learns how to live with herself and how to come to terms with the world, that world of destruction and horror […]” (Bassnett 122).
As the story of Esther Greenwood’s madness is full of interesting symbols and motifs, it is unfortunately impossible to deal with the whole of them. Consequently this paper will focus on few aspects revealing the split identity of Esther Greenwood and show the process of her recovery as well. These basic motifs are: the fig-tree, the fake identity she builds up and the motif of the bell jar. They will be discussed in the context of Esther’s mental illness...
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Motif of the Fig-Tree
- The Fake Identities of Esther Greenwood
- The Consciously Created Identities
- The Unconsciously Created Identities
- The Motif of the Bell Jar
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the split identity of Esther Greenwood in Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, focusing on how her mental illness manifests through various symbols and motifs. The analysis explores Esther's struggle to conform to societal expectations for women in the 1950s while simultaneously pursuing personal fulfillment. The objective is to reveal the process of Esther's descent into madness and her subsequent recovery.
- The impact of societal pressures on women's mental health in the 1950s.
- The exploration of identity and the creation of multiple personas as coping mechanisms.
- The use of symbolism and motifs (fig-tree, bell jar) to represent Esther's mental state.
- The depiction of the challenges in balancing personal ambitions with societal expectations.
- The portrayal of the process of recovery from mental illness.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of madness in literature, particularly focusing on female characters and their struggles within societal roles. It establishes Esther Greenwood as a key example in Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, highlighting her mental breakdown stemming from the pressures to conform to traditional expectations or to break from them. The introduction outlines the central motifs—the fig-tree, fake identities, and the bell jar—that will be explored in the subsequent chapters to understand Esther's split identity and eventual recovery. The chapter sets the stage by connecting Esther's experience to broader discussions of women's roles and the difficulties of navigating adulthood.
The Motif of the Fig-Tree: This chapter analyzes the fig-tree as a central symbol representing Esther's mental illness and her indecisiveness. The inability to choose one "fig" (representing various life options: marriage, career, etc.) reflects her overwhelming sense of paralysis and inability to make choices. The chapter deeply explores Plath's own possible influence on this symbolism, connecting it to her own ambitions. The author uses the famous fig tree passage from the novel to exemplify Esther's inability to reconcile her conflicting desires and the resulting sense of despair. The chapter connects this indecisiveness to the pressures of choosing between family and career, a common dilemma for women of the time.
The Fake Identities of Esther Greenwood: This chapter delves into Esther's consciously and unconsciously created identities as coping mechanisms. It examines the creation of Elly Higginbottom, a persona that allows Esther to escape the pressures and disappointments of her real life. The analysis reveals how this fabricated identity provides a sense of freedom and confidence, highlighting the contrast between Elly's self-assuredness and Esther's insecurities. The chapter also shows how the creation of Elly highlights Esther’s desperation to escape her responsibilities and the painful realities of her life. This chapter further investigates Esther's other created persona within the novel she intends to write.
Keywords
Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar, Esther Greenwood, split identity, mental illness, societal pressures, female roles, 1950s, symbolism, motif, fig-tree, bell jar, identity creation, coping mechanisms, recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sylvia Plath's *The Bell Jar* - A Thematic Analysis
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the split identity of Esther Greenwood, the protagonist in Sylvia Plath's *The Bell Jar*, exploring how her mental illness manifests through various symbols and motifs. It examines her struggle to balance societal expectations with personal fulfillment, her descent into madness, and her subsequent recovery.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores several key themes, including the impact of societal pressures on women's mental health in the 1950s, the creation of multiple personas as coping mechanisms, the use of symbolism (specifically the fig-tree and the bell jar), the challenges of balancing personal ambitions with societal expectations, and the portrayal of recovery from mental illness.
What are the main symbols or motifs used in the novel, and how are they interpreted in this paper?
The paper focuses on the fig-tree and the bell jar as central symbols. The fig-tree represents Esther's indecisiveness and paralysis in the face of life choices, reflecting her overwhelming sense of pressure and inability to reconcile conflicting desires. The bell jar symbolizes her mental illness and confinement.
How does the paper analyze Esther Greenwood's "fake identities"?
The paper examines both the consciously and unconsciously created identities Esther adopts as coping mechanisms. It analyzes the persona of Elly Higginbottom as a means of escape and explores how the creation of these identities highlights Esther's struggles with societal expectations and her own internal conflicts.
What is the structure of the academic paper?
The paper is structured into an introduction, chapters focusing on the fig-tree motif, Esther's fake identities, and the bell jar motif, and a concluding section summarizing key findings. Each chapter provides a detailed analysis of the chosen motif and its connection to Esther's mental state and experiences.
What is the overall objective of this academic analysis?
The primary objective is to reveal the process of Esther's descent into madness and her eventual recovery, illuminating the complexities of her mental state and the ways in which she copes with societal pressures and internal conflicts. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of the novel's themes and their relevance to contemporary discussions of mental health and gender roles.
What are the keywords associated with this academic paper?
Key words associated with this paper include: Sylvia Plath, *The Bell Jar*, Esther Greenwood, split identity, mental illness, societal pressures, female roles, 1950s, symbolism, motif, fig-tree, bell jar, identity creation, coping mechanisms, recovery.
- Quote paper
- Sarah Schommer (Author), 2008, The split identity of Esther Greenwood in Silvia Plath's "The Bell Jar", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/94536
