I read “The Bell Jar” with much curiosity and nervousness. Classic books, like “The Bell Jar,” are often boring or written in old English, which makes them difficult to read. I had my worries when I started reading it. This book is relevant to the themes and issues that we still have in today’s society. Despite being written and published in the 1960’s, there is little to no mention of the Cold War. It goes into great detail about Esther’s life. The current events that seep into the edges of the book are intriguing. It shows how much current political climates can be portrayed in literature. If you’re looking for a book that delves into the daily life of a female protagonist whose life is similar to a quiet and domestic battle. This piece of literature is one that can be devoured in hours, one you won’t want to put down. “The Bell Jar” is a must-read, even for those who don’t normally read the so-called classics. A relatable book from the 1960’s is a rarity.
The book follows the life of Esther as she works in a high-status magazine. She promptly falls into depression and faces all kinds of mental stigma. Esther suffers from depression of uncertainty of the future and a desire to not conform to society. There is trauma, beautiful imagery, and the uncertainty of life. The book doesn’t go into great detail about the Cold War, in fact, it is rarely mentioned. You probably don’t want to read any more readings than what your overbooked schedule has. Books are important and quintessential to one’s writing. Books influence and create new perspectives. My suggestion is to fit this book into your schedule whenever possible. This book is one that can’t be missed. The book is and will remain important to be read. A chapter a night is doable. This book is one you would want to make time for. This book is the perfect escape into a world beautifully captured in the writing by Sylvia Plath. We all feel pulled along in our life, this protagonist is damaged, broken and relatable. Pick up this book, give it a trial run. Who knows? You may lose yourself in this book in a good way. Instead of being lost in a class, while the professor drones on, listing fact after fact. Work out your brain in a new way. Take a step out of your comfort zone and you may just be surprised. Keep on reading. Stay strong. Course loads are ridiculous. Read whatever you can when you can. Don’t miss “The Bell Jar” on your reading list.
On my scale, I would rank it a definite 10 out of 10. In “The Bell Jar” Esther states, “I couldn’t help wondering what it would be like, being burned alive all along your nerves.” Though a dark and depressing novel, it is one that echoes through the years. Each thought Esther has, is relatable and intriguing to pull a reader in across the pages. Esther doesn’t want to conform to society’s expectations. Esther describes the questioning and craziness of her thoughts with unmatched eloquence. Each image is in grotesque or picturesque detail. The themes inside are still in relevant in today’s world. The stigma about mental and physical health, the contemplation of death and the consequences of our actions. I believe “The Bell Jar” is a novel that doesn’t have an expiration date or would diminish in the importance of its themes over time.