February 18, 2007
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I just finished reading The Bell Jar. It's excellent, and a quick read. I'd wanted to read it for a long time, and I'm glad I finally powered through it. It starts with the protagonist in New York for a month; depressed and somewhat socially isolated, but functional, and follows her progression into madness (and back). The second half pulls you in as it traces madness. It's not stream of consciousness, but the first person narration almost gives the effect of it at times. The book was published in 1963, and I couldn't help but wonder how many people in the insane asylum then are people with easily treatable disorders today.
The book leaves a lot of questions though. What was it that pushed Esther over the edge? She gets rejected for a writing course, she finds out this guy she was going steady with is a hypocrite, her mom is overbearing. Just generally she seems ill-at-ease with the world. She gets hooked up with a couple abusive guys. Is it the combination, or one thing in particular, or is it just who she is? Is it inevitable that, whatever environment she was in, she descend into madness? Troubled people tend to find trouble that reinforces their troubledness.
And what brings her back? After initially going to an asshole doctor, she finds a compassionate woman psychiatrist; she has a benefactor that ensures she's moved to a much better run facility. Had she stayed in the state facility, it's doubtful she would have improved. Beyond that, the details are very hazy for me. There's Joan, and the weird competitive dynamic between them (in Esther's mind anyway).
Plenty to think about.
Comments (1)
I too enjoyed the Bell Jar. For me this is a novel which gets better each time you read it, as with age, experience and insight you will get something new from it each time. Maybe some time down the road you could pick up the book again and see if you can answer some of your questions.
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