| dc.description.abstract | The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath has captivated both critics and leisure readers since its publication in 1963 until present day, affirming its place as a classic of American literature. Given its wide and varied reception, the novel has evoked a diverse array of scholarly interpretations. Among these readings, several acclaimed Plath scholars have underscored the novel’s representation of mental health as significant. In accordance, I posit that the novel’s unique portrayal of mental health is utmost captivating and crucial, contributing to its enduring relevance. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the representation of mental health, specifically depression, within The Bell Jar. Furthermore, to delve into the implications of this representation and its significance.
First and foremost, this thesis examines the portrayal of mental health through the lens of Esther Greenwood, the protagonist and sole narrator of the novel. Esther, a young woman in the mid-twentieth century, grapples with her mental health and finding her place in the world. This thesis argues how she is entrapped in a bell jar, depicting both her prison as depressed, as well as the societal and cultural constraints constructed by her surroundings. Esther’s distinct narration style and usage of figurative language function to depict a raw and weighty representation of mental health and society.
To frame this exploration, the thesis begins by engaging with the connection of depression and narrative, with a particular focus on the female experience, drawing valuable insights from essays assembled in Hilary Clark’s Depression and Narrative: Telling the Dark (2008) and Tina Stern’s theories on ‘border narratives’. Furthermore, it incorporates the theories of Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique (1963) and Sarah Ahmed’s The Promise of Happiness (2010). These seminal works, spanning from different time periods, each problematize the ramifications of societal and cultural frameworks. The emphasized ‘truths’ of society have wielded and continue to wield great influence, shaping not only our perceptions but also the very way we mold our identities and landscapes. By utilizing a contemporaneous work to Plath’s novel, as well as a more recent publication, this thesis wishes to underscore the lasting importance of The Bell Jar and reflections on the interplay of the individual, mental health, and society.
The first main chapter of this thesis examines Esther’s narration style, which functions to offer readers a unique and unfiltered portrayal of mental struggles. This serves to enhance the following engagement with Esther’s narrative. In the second and third main chapters, the metaphor of the bell jar is utilized. Firstly, it is examined as a representation of a ‘border narrative’, symbolizing individual mental health anguish, as well as depicting societal and cultural pressures. Secondly, this thesis aims to ‘break’ the bell jar, uncovering valuable insights from Esther’s portrayal of mental health and emphasizing the significance of textual representation. This thesis endeavors to ‘deconstruct discourses’ - both within the novel itself and in society at large. By dissecting Esther’s narration and her titular metaphor, it connects valuable perspectives which resonate deeply in our society, where millions grapple with mental health challenges and are affected by the constraining discourses that persist. | |
