Å Bli Sittende Fast i et Klokkeglass: Kvinnelig Frihet i Sylvia Plaths The Bell Jar

Abstract

The core of this thesis is a close reading of the novel The Bell Jar written by Sylvia Plath and published in 1963 under the pseudonym “Victoria Lucas”, with a particular focus on the topic of female freedom and how it is faced by the novel’s protagonist Esther Greenwood. The novel takes place in 1950s America where societies restrictive views and norms lead to a loss of freedom for Esther at various times. The thesis is focused mainly on quotations from specific scenes within the novel as they portray the restrictive society upon which the novel is based. To expand my analysis, I will use quotations from various sections of Betty Friedan´s study The Feminine Mystique (1963). In the novel, Esther Greenwood experiences and observes both gains and losses of female freedom, particularly on the topic of sex and marriage, which will be discussed in depth primarily in the context of Esther´s encounters with male characters, such as Buddy, Marco, Constantin, and Irwin. Such encounters are seen to signify some of the conflicts faced by women in the 50s, on their quest towards freedom. Esther is at a point in her life where she must decide whether to abide by societies norms or to contravene. Esther also experiences impactful encounters with female characters, such as Doreen and Mrs. Willard. The thesis also contains an exploration of the challenges involved in being an unmarried but sexually active woman, which automatically puts one outside the dominant ideology of 1950s USA.

The core of this thesis is a close reading of the novel The Bell Jar written by Sylvia Plath and published in 1963 under the pseudonym “Victoria Lucas”, with a particular focus on the topic of female freedom and how it is faced by the novel’s protagonist Esther Greenwood. The novel takes place in 1950s America where societies restrictive views and norms lead to a loss of freedom for Esther at various times. The thesis is focused mainly on quotations from specific scenes within the novel as they portray the restrictive society upon which the novel is based. To expand my analysis, I will use quotations from various sections of Betty Friedan´s study The Feminine Mystique (1963). In the novel, Esther Greenwood experiences and observes both gains and losses of female freedom, particularly on the topic of sex and marriage, which will be discussed in depth primarily in the context of Esther´s encounters with male characters, such as Buddy, Marco, Constantin, and Irwin. Such encounters are seen to signify some of the conflicts faced by women in the 50s, on their quest towards freedom. Esther is at a point in her life where she must decide whether to abide by societies norms or to contravene. Esther also experiences impactful encounters with female characters, such as Doreen and Mrs. Willard. The thesis also contains an exploration of the challenges involved in being an unmarried but sexually active woman, which automatically puts one outside the dominant ideology of 1950s USA.