The Bell Jar
Just finished reading The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
I felt sad to see Esther going through all her mental health and social struggles. It was a bit disturbing although the ending has hope.
Has anyone read this book? Feel free to opine.
@Creamyyy As someone with mental illness that loves Plath's writing, I wholeheartedly agree.
It's sad, but it I think it eloquently articulates the struggles of someone with mental health conditions, while giving hope.
I really wish she had the necessary support she needed at the time.
She was really ahead of her time. Her contributions to literature are priceless. I wish more people knew about her and read her work (the play, short stories, poetry, the novel).
@girlflungoutofspace yeah I was shocked to learn about the practices at the time - insulin injections and traumatising shocks...
And that incident with Irwin which was probably a trauma causing sex offense really broke my heart...
As a survivor, learning about that was truly devastating.
@Creamyyy Yeah I’ve read it too. It really stuck with me. Esther’s breakdown felt so raw and real... and the way Plath shows her slipping away from the world around her was honestly heartbreaking. I agree—the ending gives a bit of hope, but it still leaves you unsettled, like healing isn’t guaranteed. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you finish.
@azurePond it was really sad to see her mother unable to understand what she was going through and seeing it as something she could fix and a choice between good and bad.
It still happens all the time when people have depression and anxiety and others come and tell them it's all in your hands to fix yourself and it's all about willpower... and you're choosing 'evil' by choosing sadness.... my parents couldn't understand my depression and they saw it as my failure and weakness as a person... it was extremely sad... and I know it happens to other people too.