Esther’s desperation leads her to attempt suicide multiple times, before ultimately hiding in a crawlspace and taking sleeping pills.Īfter being rescued and hospitalized, Esther wakes up in a hospital and is horrified by her appearance, not recognizing herself.

Gordon, who incorrectly administers electric shock treatment to her. Her depression intensifies, leading to her neglecting her personal hygiene and losing the ability to sleep, read, write, or eat.

She also visits him at the sanatorium, where she rejects his marriage proposal and suffers an injury.īack home in the suburbs, Esther’s mental health deteriorates as she is rejected from a writing course and is stuck at home. Esther plans to break up with him once he recovers from his tuberculosis. Throughout her time in New York, Esther reflects on her past relationship with Buddy Willard, a man she once admired but now despises for his hypocritical public image. Through Esther’s experiences, readers are invited to reflect on their own struggles and the societal pressures they may face. The story is a powerful commentary on the pressure women face to conform to traditional gender roles and the impact it can have on their self-discovery and sense of self. She goes on a series of disappointing dates, including one that ends with a near-rape experience.Įsther’s journey highlights the complexities and struggles that women face in navigating societal expectations and finding their own paths. Throughout the story, Esther grapples with societal expectations for young women, including virginity, maternity, and wifely duties, while also struggling with her own conflicting desires for her future. Despite the exciting opportunity, Esther feels detached and uninspired, struggling to reconnect with her ambitious self.

She stays at the Amazon, a women’s hotel, and takes part in a number of events and parties hosted by the magazine. The story follows Esther Greenwood, a highly intelligent college student who wins a month-long opportunity to work as a guest editor at a New York magazine. She goes through a mental breakdown and eventual recovery.īelow is the detailed yet quick summary of the book: The book delves into themes of identity, feminism and transformation through the story of a 19-year-old woman named Esther Greenwood.

The Bell Jar is Sylvia Plath’s only novel, which was inspired by her own experiences with depression.

Books like the bell jar