The Bell Jar

This book has been in my "need to buy" list for a long time. I did not know if the writer had gone through any of the experiences that the character Esther endured, but I will be brutally honest. To begin with, this book explores the idea of detachment and feeling lost while growing up, even if life seems good on the surface. Esther, the young protagonist, is rebellious and refuses to submit to societal norms, especially marriage. She is portrayed as highly intelligent, but as the story unfolds, you see how she falls into a cycle of torment, dissatisfaction, and suffering. Plath, in this instance, writes in a fluent and accessible style, using simple language to describe both the surroundings and Esther's inner emotions. What captivated me most is how Plath subtly builds a plot twist, slowly immersing the character deeper into her own thoughts. One part that struck me the most is the fig tree passage. The idea of indecision, fear of judgment, and failure is conveyed powerfully yet gently in that short passage, giving readers deeper insight into Esther’s psyche. Lastly, the ending. Esther loses a friend—not someone she particularly liked, but a person she sympathized with. That loss influences both the protagonist and the reader. During her final days in the asylum, when the girl who had once helped her goes missing, I expected Esther to be devastated. However, she is barely affected and simply continues with her life. This made me reflect on how people often don't care about others as much as we might expect.