Discussion Questions for Day Three of _The Bell Jar_
We'll be focusing on the theme of doubles tomorrow, both in terms of the Esther's internal doubling and the external doubles available to her as a Cold War woman.
On page 159, Esther tells us about her attempt to hang herself and about how her hands go limp, saving herself from death. With all her failed attempts of suicide, does she really want to die? Why or why not?
In Chapter 13 Esther says "anybody with half an eye would see I didn't have a brain in my head." What does this say about her condition? How does Esther perceive herself?
"The red brick buildings of the prison looked friendly, like the buildings of a seaside college." (p. 150) Why would she consider the physical appearance of a prison to be "friendly"? What does it say about her state of mind here? What's the significance of her visit to Deer Island Prison in the story?
Esther spends much of this section of the novel near the ocean, in the ocean, or in the rain. During her suicide attempt, she uses water to help her swallow the sleeping pills. What does water represent, and what is the significance of the underwater/ocean imagery that appears before and during Esther's suicide attempt?
In Chapter 13, Ester describes religion. She had been a Methodist for the first nine years of her life and after her father died she became Unitarian. Ester considers going into the Catholic Church so she could concentrate on her sin and he could help me repent. What is the importance of religion in this scene as Ester wears a black veil to the graveyard where her father is buried? Why do you think she discusses religion? What does religion symbolize in this novel?
I have feeling that Esther is changing her descriptions from negative to more positive in these last few chapters. Before she always talked negative and describing things negatively, but from these last chapters I have feeling that she uses more positive descriptions. How can we see her attempt to kill herself which represents negativity and her positive descriptions?
Since Esther has attempted suicide numerous times, do you think she is truly trying to kill herself or is rather enjoying the rush when she comes close to death that might make her feel more alive?
Now that we've seen Esther's suicide attempt, which could possible imply a slip into madness, what about her life makes us consider the possibility that this "madness" may be brought on by an "unlivable situation" as Max posed in his presentation. Moreover, is there significant demonstrable evidence of Esther's pre-disposition to commit an act of suicide?
As Esther's sickness worsens, her ability to write coincides and diminishes as well. What kind of connection does Plath create between writing and sanity?
As Esther is getting treated in chapter 13 she seems to be having certain flashbacks to her childhood, the reference to the girl in the piano struck me as maybe something she used to do as a child, and her mother's presence was very important, how does Esthers mother influence her to be the other Esther? and how and is her mental state a natural reaction to her environment?
Esther is kept in a ward to be confined, examined, and treated. Is a bell jar symbolic of her psychiatric treatment or is this just one of many ways a bell jar acts as a symbol? What is the significance of the title "The Bell Jar"?
As the story goes on, we get snippets of different occurrences in Esther's life. Relative to the story before today's reading, what is the time sequencing of all the events currently happening?
On pg. 161, Ester talks about the Japanese and their disemboweling ceremonies. How may the act of "jab[bing] the knives in and zip round, one on the upper crescent and one on the lower crescent, making a full circle," relate to Ester's attempts at committing suicide? "They disemboweled themselves when anything went wrong," so what is it that Ester is doing wrong?
"They would have to be naked, or their knife would get stuck in their clothes." How does clothing present itself as an identity in this situation? What does the act of being naked mean for the person here?
On page 159, Esther tells us about her attempt to hang herself and about how her hands go limp, saving herself from death. With all her failed attempts of suicide, does she really want to die? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 13 Esther says "anybody with half an eye would see I didn't have a brain in my head." What does this say about her condition? How does Esther perceive herself?
ReplyDeleteWhat might Esther's mother sentiments towards her seeing Dr. Gordon reflect the American taboo towards psychiatry during that period?
ReplyDelete"The red brick buildings of the prison looked friendly, like the buildings of a seaside college." (p. 150) Why would she consider the physical appearance of a prison to be "friendly"? What does it say about her state of mind here? What's the significance of her visit to Deer Island Prison in the story?
ReplyDeleteWhat does Esther's immediate distrust of Dr. Gordon say about their current mental state?
ReplyDeleteHaving attempted suicide various times, do you think Esther has these suicidal thoughts due to her environment or due to a mental illness?
ReplyDeleteEsther spends much of this section of the novel near the ocean, in the ocean, or in the rain. During her suicide attempt, she uses water to help her swallow the sleeping pills. What does water represent, and what is the significance of the underwater/ocean imagery that appears before and during Esther's suicide attempt?
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 13, Ester describes religion. She had been a Methodist for the first nine years of her life and after her father died she became Unitarian. Ester considers going into the Catholic Church so she could concentrate on her sin and he could help me repent. What is the importance of religion in this scene as Ester wears a black veil to the graveyard where her father is buried? Why do you think she discusses religion? What does religion symbolize in this novel?
ReplyDeleteI have feeling that Esther is changing her descriptions from negative to more positive in these last few chapters. Before she always talked negative and describing things negatively, but from these last chapters I have feeling that she uses more positive descriptions. How can we see her attempt to kill herself which represents negativity and her positive descriptions?
ReplyDeleteSince Esther has attempted suicide numerous times, do you think she is truly trying to kill herself or is rather enjoying the rush when she comes close to death that might make her feel more alive?
ReplyDeleteNow that we've seen Esther's suicide attempt, which could possible imply a slip into madness, what about her life makes us consider the possibility that this "madness" may be brought on by an "unlivable situation" as Max posed in his presentation. Moreover, is there significant demonstrable evidence of Esther's pre-disposition to commit an act of suicide?
ReplyDeleteAs Esther's sickness worsens, her ability to write coincides and diminishes as well. What kind of connection does Plath create between writing and sanity?
ReplyDeleteAs Esther is getting treated in chapter 13 she seems to be having certain flashbacks to her childhood, the reference to the girl in the piano struck me as maybe something she used to do as a child, and her mother's presence was very important, how does Esthers mother influence her to be the other Esther? and how and is her mental state a natural reaction to her environment?
ReplyDeleteEsther is kept in a ward to be confined, examined, and treated. Is a bell jar symbolic of her psychiatric treatment or is this just one of many ways a bell jar acts as a symbol? What is the significance of the title "The Bell Jar"?
ReplyDeleteAs the story goes on, we get snippets of different occurrences in Esther's life. Relative to the story before today's reading, what is the time sequencing of all the events currently happening?
ReplyDeleteOn pg. 161, Ester talks about the Japanese and their disemboweling ceremonies. How may the act of "jab[bing] the knives in and zip round, one on the upper crescent and one on the lower crescent, making a full circle," relate to Ester's attempts at committing suicide? "They disemboweled themselves when anything went wrong," so what is it that Ester is doing wrong?
"They would have to be naked, or their knife would get stuck in their clothes." How does clothing present itself as an identity in this situation? What does the act of being naked mean for the person here?