The Bell Jar PDF is a novel written by Sylvia Plath. The novel was originally published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. The novel is semi-autobiographical and tells the story of Esther Greenwood, a young woman who struggles with mental illness.
The book was published by Harper & Row in the United States and Jonathan Cape in the United Kingdom. It was Plath’s only novel and was published shortly before her death.
Themes in The Bell Jar include mental illness, feminism, and creativity. The book has been both praised and criticized for its frank discussion of mental illness and suicide.
The Bell Jar has sold over three million copies and has been translated into many languages. It is considered a classic of twentieth-century literature. The Bell Jar is available in paperback, pdf, hardcover, audiobook, and e-book formats.
Table of Contents
The Bell Jar Summary
It begins with the main character, Esther Greenwood, winning a contest to have her essay published in a magazine. She is excited about this, but her elation is short-lived when she returns home and finds that her boyfriend has been cheating on her. This leads to a downward spiral for Esther which is furthered by her mother’s pressuring her to marry a man she does not love, and her own insecurities about her writing talent.
The pressures of society and Esther’s own depression cause her to attempt suicide by sticking her head in a gas oven. She is unsuccessful and ends up in a mental hospital where she is diagnosed with schizophrenia. With the help of electroshock therapy and insulin shock therapy, Esther is eventually released from the hospital.
The novel ends with Esther’s recovery, and her decision to live life on her own terms. She returns to college and eventually becomes a successful writer.
Details of The Bell Jar Book
| Book | The Bell Jar |
| Author | Sylvia Plath |
| Original language | English |
| Originally published | January 14, 1963 |
| Category | Autobiography, Psychological Fiction |
| Publisher | Heinemann |
| Total Pages | 244 |
| Format | PDF, ePub |
Multiple Languages Editions of The Bell Jar Book
The Bell Jar book has been translated into many different languages since its original publication in English. Some of the more popular versions include the French edition, Le Festin d’Esther, and the Spanish edition, El Jarro de la Campana.
| Book Editions | Check Now |
|---|---|
| English | Check Price |
| German | Check Price |
| Spanish | Check Price |
| Chinese | Check Price |
About the Author
Sylvia Plath was an American writer and poet. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she studied at Smith College and Newnham College at the University of Cambridge before returning to the United States. Plath published her first poem when she was eight years old.
Her first collection of poems, The Colossus, was published in 1960 when she was twenty-eight. Plath was married to the English poet Ted Hughes from 1956 until they divorced in 1962. She committed suicide in 1963.
Her work includes The Bell Jar, a semi-autobiographical novel published shortly before her death, and the posthumously published collections Ariel and Crossing the Water.
In an interview shortly before her death, Plath said: “I am not sick. I am disturbed. But I’m not crazy. A wild streak in me is tired of tame surroundings. When it goes too far, I have to put myself back in a cage.”
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What mental illness is in The Bell Jar?
The Bell Jar is a novel about mental illness, specifical depression.
Is The Bell Jar hard to read?
The Bell Jar can be difficult to read because of the subject matter.
What is the main message of The Bell Jar?
The main message of The Bell Jar is that depression is a serious mental illness that should be taken seriously.
How does The Bell Jar end?
The Bell Jar ends with the main character, Esther, getting better and eventually becoming a successful writer.
What age is The Bell Jar appropriate for?
The Bell Jar is appropriate for ages 16 and up.
What is a review of The Bell Jar?
A review of The Bell Jar is a book that gives an overview of the plot, characters, and themes of the book.
Does The Bell Jar make you depressed?
No, The Bell Jar does not make you depressed.
