The novel “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath, is about a young lady by the name of Ester Greenwood. After writing a column for a magazine she won a trip to New York and a job in New York as well with the magazine, also all expenses paid. And she kind of just goes with the flow of things. Such as going out with the other girls and stuff. This book moves at a very slow paste. Although it moves slowly I really like how Sylvia uses poetic phrases to say or describe something. One thing I do not understand so far is why was this book banned? It contains a minimum amount of cruse words and a lot of depression so far. I feel as though Ester is a lost person trying to find herself. Sylvia describe Ester as empty and still. Basically she’s there physically but mentally she’s lost trying to find herself. She’s trapped in depression. The book moves slowly so currently it doesn't really express why she is depress and I dislike that. Again this book moves slowly and currently I do not like how slow it moves. This book would be more interesting if there were more parts that stood out rather then just a couple of poetic phrases. In conclusion so far it’s an okay book.
The story is slow at first, and I admit it can be difficult to get into it. But I find that there are moments where I cannot stop reading, because it starts going very in depth in Esther's depression the farther you get in.
I believe it was banned because it goes so in depth. Where I am in the book now Esther is describing, in pure detail, the ways she has tried to commit suicide. Parents would think that reading something like that could either scare their children, or maybe even give them ideas. I'm pretty sure that was a main reason it was banned.
when I first read the couple of pages of the book I thought that it was pretty boring I thought that I wasn't going to like this book but as I got further into the book I started to like it and starting to feel the emotional in me.
and I agree with Melanie with the second part that she wrote but I think that parents should let their kids read such thing like this because we can learn so such things by reading books like this
So far in the book in "The Bell Jar" I have found out it runs deep with emotion and is very in depth with whatever is being talked about. I've seen some reasons why it is banned, but overall I don't think is should be banned. I haven't really gotten into this book yet even though I'm about 80 pages into the book. I have found the characters interesting but I'm not really following the story line to well due to my lack of interest. Some parts leave me hanging but I guess I will learn about it later the farther I read on, so I will have to be patient for the rest of the time. Maybe I can get into the book later on in the reading. My thought in these characters and story line is that it goes very deep and emotional, so it might touch someone reading it or make it interesting, I feel like I can connect to it but not fully understand or get interested into it. My only problem with this book is maybe add or excitement or more common events that people can relate too. More blog posts to come about this book.
Porschia Thompson Aj, I couldn't agree more that the book runs emotional deep. And after reading a little well over 80 pages I'm starting to realize that there's a lot of sexual talk. So i'm guessing that's one of the reasons why the book was banned. Although it has sexual talk, it isn't in great detail. So again that could or couldn't be the reason the book was banned.
I promise the story becomes more interesting as you go through the book some more. And I agree, it is very emotional. It's heartbreaking watching Esther go through this depression, and she's going through it alone. Yes, there aren't many events readers can relate to, but I would say her emotions are enough. Just imagine not feeling safe enough to talk to someone about your feelings because you are a hundred percent certain they would think you're crazy and deserved to be locked up. No one would understand what you are going through, or even bother to, because by society's standards you are nuts. It's not a connection necessarily, but it is empathy.
Porschia Thompson Assignment #2 "...the best man wanted to be pure for their wives, and even if they weren't pure, they wanted to be the ones to teach their wives about sex. Of course they would try to persuade a girl to have sex and they would marry her later, but as soon as she gave in, they would lose all respect for her and start saying that if she did that with them she would do that with other men and they would end up by making her life miserable.." This quote was very interesting to me because basically it's stating that mans can sleep with whomever and or stay pure and nothings wrong with that, but if a women is not pure then there's a problem. Also it relates to how the world is today, when guys have a lot of girlfriends they are idolized but when girls have a lot of boyfriends their labeled as sluts. This could have been one reason the this book was banned. Maybe people disagreed with this or thought it was inappropriate for school. In.appropriate because maybe it talks about sex and parents dislike their children reading about sex in anyway, even if it's not concerted that bad.
"I thought it would be easy, lying in a tub and seeing the redness flower from my wrists, flush after flush through the clear water, till I sank to sleep under under a surface gaudy as poppies.
But when it came right down to it, the skin of my wrists looked so white and defenseless that i couldn't do it. It was as if what I wanted to kill wasn't in that skin or in the thin blue pulse that jumped under my thumb, but somewhere else, deeper, more secret, and a whole lot harder to get at."
I chose this quote because I feel that it really shows how badly Esther's depression has gotten. The detail is excellent, perfectly portraying her thoughts and emotions as she is considering cutting herself so she can die. And this is only the first time she tries to commit suicide. That's why I feel it is important. Because this quote is where the reader really sees just how dark her thoughts have gotten. I feel as though this is the peak, where everything will finally start tumbling down hill for Esther.
The description that goes with her suicide attempts and dark thoughts could be concerning to any parent if they happened to read this book over their child's shoulder. I believe that is the main reason it was banned. The very minor sexual bits, and near non-existent cussing possibly furthered the notion that "The Bell Jar" be banned.
However, I don't see that as a reason to ban this book. I think anyone, teen or adult, should better understand what depression is like, and this book gives a lot more insight into it than I thought. Depression is more than sadness. It is self-loathing and a lack of motivation to move on through life. And there are so many people in the world who are going through this sort of thing, yet we just don't see it. Or we choose not to see it, just as Esther's mother is doing. She would rather deny the fact that there is something wrong with her daughter, than say yes, she is sick. Because everyone would just see Esther as insane and deserving to be locked in a padded room and go through shock treatment. This is how depression was handled in the 50's. Although today's society takes a much different, and more friendly and understanding approach, I still think that those who do not completely know what it is like to go through depression cannot fully fathom it, unless they have experienced it first-hand. This book shouldn't be banned because it offers us that very real insight.
The quote was found on page 147, paragraphs 9 through 10.
So far in the book "The Bell Jar" by Syliva plath I find it very emotional and some part of the book can be very sexual that's why it's banned, but I don't think this book should be banned because what's so bad about letting people know the truth about what had happen to you in life. I think it's better to let it out then leaving it in side you your just going to hurt yourself more by keeping it to you. I have an uncle that killed himself because he had so much things that he was stressing about, but he's just not welling to tell anyone about his problems I wish I had help him out with his problems but that time I was too young to understand him, but I think the book is very good it has very good description that you can really picture it in your head I recommend this book to those people that likes to read fiction books
"Inertia oozed like molasses through Elaine's limbs" I found this quote very descriptive, maybe a little to descriptive. In the book "The Bell Jar" a lot has happened through out so far. Many emotions and thoughts and changes have occurred . The execution of Rosensburg was intense and alot was learned then. I'm started to get more into this book with the vents that have happened. I'm most interested in what will happen next because this book has a lot of turns and different scenarios that pop up, keeping me interested in what is going to happen next. Her depression is getting more noticeable to others in the story so they get a doctor to help her out with techniques and question to help her mentally. With more people know and it getting out in the paper and media she is faced with the struggle. Now I feel like it isn't fair for this to happen but I'm wondering why it is at the same time so I question the authors choice of events. The further I get into it, the book isn't that bad so I'm ok with the book. One things in still wondering is why it's banned. Maybe for the graphic content, or the characters, or events I'm not sure. I'm looking forward to reading more in the future and Getting more into it hopefully.
"When we came out of the sunnily lit interior of the ladies' day offices, the streets were gray and fuming with rain." I find this quote is very descriptive I like it a lot because you can image that the weather isn't a nice rain that comes down. I really like this book because it always make you want to know what's going to happen next. The further you get in to the book the better it gets it can get into so much detail that sometime you just think that the author describe it too much.
Can you just imagine what you would do if your just stressing out so much and you had no one there to talk it out with you, or you just can't trust that person. Because in the book "The Bell Jar by. Sylvia Plath" the book is about a young girl who doesn't trust anyone for who they are, or what they do. She had so much stuff that she is stressing about but she not welling to tell anyone because she can never trust them. She try's to kill herself many times because of depression. Every time she try's to kill herself it doesn't turn out the way she wanted it. I personally like this book because I had an uncle that committed suicide because he wasn't welling to tell us his problems no one really knew why he had killed himself for, and I also like this book because it has good description that you can really picture it in your head and you can follow along easily. The book can be very emotional and sexual in some parts. My First impressions of the book I thought that I wouldn't like the book because it started slow and boring but as you get deeper in the book it gets better and better that makes you just want to know what's going to happen next. I recommend this book to those people that likes to read and especially to those who likes to read fiction books
It's not that she is stressed. Yes, sometimes when we're stressed we can go through a little bit of depression, but not to the point where we want to kill ourselves. I don't think Esther's reason for wanting to die was stress.
“The Bell Jar” chronicles the crack-up of Esther Greenwood: brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under-maybe for the last time. Sylvia Plath masterfully draws the reader into Esther’s breakdown with such intensity that Esther’s insanity becomes completely real and even rational, as probable and accessible an experience as going to the movies.”
A synopsis could not be truer for a book. As the reader goes through the story it is like we experience Esther’s depression along with her. Her thoughts and feelings become real to us thanks to Sylvia’s talent for writing in perfect detail. When I first started the book it slow-going and almost boring, because it was just Esther talking about her time in New York on an all expense paid trip with eleven other college girls. Then she went into her story about Buddy Willard, an old flame and friend until she found out he wasn’t as innocent as he appeared to be. But then you start noticing symptoms: self-loathing, indecision, sudden sadness, lack of motivation. Then it just goes downhill for Esther from there, and not always in the way you expect.
I had fantastic experience reading this book. No, I’m not saying disturbing literature is oodles of fun. But it’s been the most interesting read for me this entire year. It was a very deep story. “The Bell Jar” was written with wonderful detail which made the main character seem very real. And like the synopsis says, “. . .that Esther’s insanity completely real . . .”. The detail that goes into Esther’s thoughts and emotions makes her seem life-like. Like you are in her mind, and you are experiencing everything she is at the same time that she is. The book made me feel empathetic towards Esther. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have everyone you’re close to, everyone you love, to look at you like you’re insane; like you’re dangerous. I also couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be so depressed that you would want to harm yourself.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read. The first reason why is that it is realistic. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies, or a soft and squishy love story. It is deep, and full of pure emotion and sometimes even depressing (It’s about a young woman’s depression, so you would expect the depressing bit). Another reason is that I think this book offers insight into what depression can really be like for those you do not understand it. We all know someone with depression or has been depressed and this book gives you a firsthand experience with it. But if something like this greatly disturbs you then I would recommend not reading it. However, if you can handle it then I say you should. It can be an eye opener.
Sylvia Plath was an American novelist and poet. She suffered from depression for most of her adult life and wrote “The Bell Jar” before she had committed suicide in 1963. The book was published in 1963 in England, but not in America until 1971 because Plath’s mother wanted to block it. Sylvia wrote to her mother "What I've done is to throw together events from my own life, fictionalising to add colour- it's a pot boiler really, but I think it will show how isolated a person feels when he is suffering a breakdown.... I've tried to picture my world and the people in it as seen through the distorting lens of a bell jar". “The Bell Jar” is considered as a semi-autobiographical because much of the story was based upon Sylvia’s own life. Plath said “The Bell Jar” is "an autobiographical apprentice work which I had to write in order to free myself from the past".
In the book "The Bell Jar" a girl named Esthler Green wood is weirdly depressed and is looking for some meaning in her life. She gets the opportunity to work as a magazine editor for a women Jay Cee, and with this she meets a lot of new people and hope that she can find someone or something to have positive meaning in her life. She is faced with a lot of challenges along the way. I didn't really find this book interesting because it was too slow passed for me. I agree that the author was very I'm depth with describing events and feelings throughout the book. Maybe some people will like this book if they are into the emotional side of things, but if you're into intense, passionate, action or thrillers then this book isn't for you. The only thing I liked about this book was how descriptive it was, and how it can relate to people feelings and life experiences. This makes me think that some people might like this book, but not enough to recommend it to anyone. Overall the book wasn't good at all, and I wouldn't select it unless for a select few. A major reason why I don't like the book is how long and boring it is, for example the story line is boring and I don't like how slowly paced it is. I feel that If the story had more intense and dramatic events then everything would be ok. . The author of this book, Sylvia Plath has had a long line of work from poems and other in depth emotional forms of literature. She died in 1963 but still many of other journalist and writers are still talking about her work, so she has left a great impact on the writing world
I would consider reading this book, it seems very interesting. I feel like I would be able to kind of connect with the character in the book. I see that you don't like the book, but I think you just don't relate to the character, so I'll give the book a try and see if I like the book!
My view on banned book in school libraries is that I think it's ok to have them allowed. It takes to much work into trying to ban one, with all the meetings and drama and confusing and arguing, I thinks it's pointless for all the to happen when all that is need is for the parent to talk to the student. Then there would be no problem in the community of having all the news and meeting and controversy with each other. There should be a time and place for censorship in the community but not for books. Like graphic pictures or movies or tv shows, but while reading people have the choice to use there imaginations on what they want to see. Is the ardent doesn't complain about a name book, why should a parent? I think if there is any action to ban a book the readers in school should put effort into banning it. It's there opinions and choices. Not the parents that matter. Most of the banned books are the best books ever written so it's a good learning experience. So overall the banning in books shouldn't be that big of a deal. They should allow to have any book In the school library, but if there is any controversy with a student or parent about a book they shouldn't make a big deal about it, all they have to so is not read it or learn about it. Maybe some permission slips will need to be filled out or something.
For this blog we are to discuss our opinions about censorship and banned books. I personally believe that censorship, in certain scenarios, is appropriate. I don’t think a middle schooler would be able to read “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath because, not only would it be above their reading lever, but it could be a disturbing read. In seventh, or even eighth grade, I wouldn’t have been mature enough to read such a depressing book. In that sort of setting it would make sense to ban the book. Parents wouldn’t want their children to read such literature at a young age. But I would think that during and after high school you are mature enough to read anything containing graphic violence, or minor sexual content. So no, I do not think that it is acceptable to ban a book from public high schools or local libraries. If a book is banned from a school’s library I think it would be the student’s responsibility to ask why it was banned, and to read said-banned-book for oneself and decide whether or not it was appropriate to remove the book. We cannot let others decide what is appropriate for us to read and what is not. That, I believe, is a violation of private domain. If one reads the book in question and thinks, “Yes, this should be banned from our school library”, then they see that it was challenged for a reason. But if they think “There is no reason to ban this book” then they should be encouraged to challenge the challenger, and make an argument for removing the censorship of the book. This is the very same way I would act if a book was banned from Centennial’s school library.
It makes sense to censor any sort of media to keep young children from being exposed to violence, sex, drugs and the like. But after a certain age children should be encouraged to see the world for what it is. To see that things like sex, drugs, and violence do in fact happen and exists in our world. And there are so many diverse cultures and ideas and opinions in our world, and why shouldn’t we be exposed to that? Why shouldn’t we be exposed to the bad and not-so-clean things in life? They happen every day. And, in my opinion, we wouldn’t be able to see the good things in life if the bad ones weren’t there. The bad and the ugly are the absolute truth. If we are censored from that we are living a lie.
I think there are two major reasons why “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath was challenged. One: The disturbing detail. It goes so in depth into Esther’s thoughts and emotions; so in depth with her depression, that it feels so real to the reader, almost to the point where it can be unsettling. The same can be said about the descriptions of Esther’s several suicide attempts. It could be discomforting for most readers. Reason two: the book mentions birth control. Now keep in mind that this book was published in the 50’s-60’s, and back then it was incredibly wrong for a woman to even think of, let alone have, birth control because it was a woman’s job to have children. Later in the book Esther gets a fitting for a diaphragm, a form of birth control. There are also minor reasons why the book was challenged: Minor sexual content and a very, very small amount of swearing. The word “negro” is said maybe twice, but in that time period it was an acceptable term to use.
I think this book can be beneficial in a way because it gives the reader a first-person insight and first-hand experience with depression. We’ve all known someone with or someone who has had depression, or even someone who has attempted suicide. And in the worst cases, has committed suicide. As the reader, we can see what it is like through the eyes of someone who is chronically depressed, and we can even connect and learn from it. I think the benefits of such a read far outweigh the gruesome, and dark details of the psych.
The novel “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath, is about a young lady by the name of Ester Greenwood. After writing a column for a magazine she won a trip to New York and a job in New York as well with the magazine, also all expenses paid. And she kind of just goes with the flow of things. Such as going out with the other girls and stuff. This book moves at a very slow paste. Although it moves slowly I really like how Sylvia uses poetic phrases to say or describe something. One thing I do not understand so far is why was this book banned? It contains a minimum amount of cruse words and a lot of depression so far. I feel as though Ester is a lost person trying to find herself. Sylvia describe Ester as empty and still. Basically she’s there physically but mentally she’s lost trying to find herself. She’s trapped in depression. The book moves slowly so currently it doesn't really express why she is depress and I dislike that. Again this book moves slowly and currently I do not like how slow it moves. This book would be more interesting if there were more parts that stood out rather then just a couple of poetic phrases. In conclusion so far it’s an okay book.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Steere
DeleteThe story is slow at first, and I admit it can be difficult to get into it. But I find that there are moments where I cannot stop reading, because it starts going very in depth in Esther's depression the farther you get in.
I believe it was banned because it goes so in depth. Where I am in the book now Esther is describing, in pure detail, the ways she has tried to commit suicide. Parents would think that reading something like that could either scare their children, or maybe even give them ideas. I'm pretty sure that was a main reason it was banned.
when I first read the couple of pages of the book I thought that it was pretty boring I thought that I wasn't going to like this book but as I got further into the book I started to like it and starting to feel the emotional in me.
Deleteand I agree with Melanie with the second part that she wrote but I think that parents should let their kids read such thing like this because we can learn so such things by reading books like this
So far in the book in "The Bell Jar" I have found out it runs deep with emotion and is very in depth with whatever is being talked about. I've seen some reasons why it is banned, but overall I don't think is should be banned. I haven't really gotten into this book yet even though I'm about 80 pages into the book. I have found the characters interesting but I'm not really following the story line to well due to my lack of interest. Some parts leave me hanging but I guess I will learn about it later the farther I read on, so I will have to be patient for the rest of the time. Maybe I can get into the book later on in the reading. My thought in these characters and story line is that it goes very deep and emotional, so it might touch someone reading it or make it interesting, I feel like I can connect to it but not fully understand or get interested into it. My only problem with this book
ReplyDeleteis maybe add or excitement or more common events that people can relate too. More blog posts to come about this book.
Porschia Thompson
DeleteAj, I couldn't agree more that the book runs emotional deep. And after reading a little well over 80 pages I'm starting to realize that there's a lot of sexual talk. So i'm guessing that's one of the reasons why the book was banned. Although it has sexual talk, it isn't in great detail. So again that could or couldn't be the reason the book was banned.
Melanie Steere
DeleteI promise the story becomes more interesting as you go through the book some more. And I agree, it is very emotional. It's heartbreaking watching Esther go through this depression, and she's going through it alone. Yes, there aren't many events readers can relate to, but I would say her emotions are enough. Just imagine not feeling safe enough to talk to someone about your feelings because you are a hundred percent certain they would think you're crazy and deserved to be locked up. No one would understand what you are going through, or even bother to, because by society's standards you are nuts. It's not a connection necessarily, but it is empathy.
I agree with Melanie as you get into the book more you can really feel how depressing she is going through it is heartbreaking
DeletePorschia Thompson
ReplyDeleteAssignment #2
"...the best man wanted to be pure for their wives, and even if they weren't pure, they wanted to be the ones to teach their wives about sex. Of course they would try to persuade a girl to have sex and they would marry her later, but as soon as she gave in, they would lose all respect for her and start saying that if she did that with them she would do that with other men and they would end up by making her life miserable.."
This quote was very interesting to me because basically it's stating that mans can sleep with whomever and or stay pure and nothings wrong with that, but if a women is not pure then there's a problem. Also it relates to how the world is today, when guys have a lot of girlfriends they are idolized but when girls have a lot of boyfriends their labeled as sluts. This could have been one reason the this book was banned. Maybe people disagreed with this or thought it was inappropriate for school. In.appropriate because maybe it talks about sex and parents dislike their children reading about sex in anyway, even if it's not concerted that bad.
Melanie
ReplyDeleteAssignment #2
"I thought it would be easy, lying in a tub and seeing the redness flower from my wrists, flush after flush through the clear water, till I sank to sleep under under a surface gaudy as poppies.
But when it came right down to it, the skin of my wrists looked so white and defenseless that i couldn't do it. It was as if what I wanted to kill wasn't in that skin or in the thin blue pulse that jumped under my thumb, but somewhere else, deeper, more secret, and a whole lot harder to get at."
I chose this quote because I feel that it really shows how badly Esther's depression has gotten. The detail is excellent, perfectly portraying her thoughts and emotions as she is considering cutting herself so she can die. And this is only the first time she tries to commit suicide. That's why I feel it is important. Because this quote is where the reader really sees just how dark her thoughts have gotten. I feel as though this is the peak, where everything will finally start tumbling down hill for Esther.
The description that goes with her suicide attempts and dark thoughts could be concerning to any parent if they happened to read this book over their child's shoulder. I believe that is the main reason it was banned. The very minor sexual bits, and near non-existent cussing possibly furthered the notion that "The Bell Jar" be banned.
However, I don't see that as a reason to ban this book. I think anyone, teen or adult, should better understand what depression is like, and this book gives a lot more insight into it than I thought. Depression is more than sadness. It is self-loathing and a lack of motivation to move on through life. And there are so many people in the world who are going through this sort of thing, yet we just don't see it. Or we choose not to see it, just as Esther's mother is doing. She would rather deny the fact that there is something wrong with her daughter, than say yes, she is sick. Because everyone would just see Esther as insane and deserving to be locked in a padded room and go through shock treatment. This is how depression was handled in the 50's. Although today's society takes a much different, and more friendly and understanding approach, I still think that those who do not completely know what it is like to go through depression cannot fully fathom it, unless they have experienced it first-hand. This book shouldn't be banned because it offers us that very real insight.
The quote was found on page 147, paragraphs 9 through 10.
So far in the book "The Bell Jar" by Syliva plath I find it very emotional and some part of the book can be very sexual that's why it's banned, but I don't think this book should be banned because what's so bad about letting people know the truth about what had happen to you in life. I think it's better to let it out then leaving it in side you your just going to hurt yourself more by keeping it to you. I have an uncle that killed himself because he had so much things that he was stressing about, but he's just not welling to tell anyone about his problems I wish I had help him out with his problems but that time I was too young to understand him, but I think the book is very good it has very good description that you can really picture it in your head I recommend this book to those people that likes to read fiction books
ReplyDelete"Inertia oozed like molasses through Elaine's limbs"
ReplyDeleteI found this quote very descriptive, maybe a little to descriptive.
In the book "The Bell Jar" a lot has happened through out so far. Many emotions and thoughts and changes have occurred . The execution of Rosensburg was intense and alot was learned then. I'm started to get more into this book with the vents that have happened. I'm most interested in what will happen next because this book has a lot of turns and different scenarios that pop up, keeping me interested in what is going to happen next. Her depression is getting more noticeable to others in the story so they get a doctor to help her out with techniques and question to help her mentally. With more people know and it getting out in the paper and media she is faced with the struggle. Now I feel like it isn't fair for this to happen but I'm wondering why it is at the same time so I question the authors choice of events. The further I get into it, the book isn't that bad so I'm ok with the book.
One things in still wondering is why it's banned. Maybe for the graphic content, or the characters, or events I'm not sure. I'm looking forward to reading more in the future and Getting more into it hopefully.
#Assignment 2
ReplyDelete"When we came out of the sunnily lit interior of the ladies' day offices, the streets were gray and fuming with rain."
ReplyDeleteI find this quote is very descriptive I like it a lot because you can image that the weather isn't a nice rain that comes down. I really like this book because it always make you want to know what's going to happen next. The further you get in to the book the better it gets it can get into so much detail that sometime you just think that the author describe it too much.
Vicky
ReplyDeleteAssignment #3
Can you just imagine what you would do if your just stressing out so much and you had no one there to talk it out with you, or you just can't trust that person. Because in the book "The Bell Jar by. Sylvia Plath" the book is about a young girl who doesn't trust anyone for who they are, or what they do. She had so much stuff that she is stressing about but she not welling to tell anyone because she can never trust them. She try's to kill herself many times because of depression. Every time she try's to kill herself it doesn't turn out the way she wanted it. I personally like this book because I had an uncle that committed suicide because he wasn't welling to tell us his problems no one really knew why he had killed himself for, and I also like this book because it has good description that you can really picture it in your head and you can follow along easily. The book can be very emotional and sexual in some parts. My First impressions of the book I thought that I wouldn't like the book because it started slow and boring but as you get deeper in the book it gets better and better that makes you just want to know what's going to happen next. I recommend this book to those people that likes to read and especially to those who likes to read fiction books
It's not that she is stressed. Yes, sometimes when we're stressed we can go through a little bit of depression, but not to the point where we want to kill ourselves. I don't think Esther's reason for wanting to die was stress.
DeleteMelanie
ReplyDeleteAssignment #3
“The Bell Jar” chronicles the crack-up of Esther Greenwood: brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under-maybe for the last time. Sylvia Plath masterfully draws the reader into Esther’s breakdown with such intensity that Esther’s insanity becomes completely real and even rational, as probable and accessible an experience as going to the movies.”
A synopsis could not be truer for a book. As the reader goes through the story it is like we experience Esther’s depression along with her. Her thoughts and feelings become real to us thanks to Sylvia’s talent for writing in perfect detail. When I first started the book it slow-going and almost boring, because it was just Esther talking about her time in New York on an all expense paid trip with eleven other college girls. Then she went into her story about Buddy Willard, an old flame and friend until she found out he wasn’t as innocent as he appeared to be. But then you start noticing symptoms: self-loathing, indecision, sudden sadness, lack of motivation. Then it just goes downhill for Esther from there, and not always in the way you expect.
I had fantastic experience reading this book. No, I’m not saying disturbing literature is oodles of fun. But it’s been the most interesting read for me this entire year. It was a very deep story. “The Bell Jar” was written with wonderful detail which made the main character seem very real. And like the synopsis says, “. . .that Esther’s insanity completely real . . .”. The detail that goes into Esther’s thoughts and emotions makes her seem life-like. Like you are in her mind, and you are experiencing everything she is at the same time that she is. The book made me feel empathetic towards Esther. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have everyone you’re close to, everyone you love, to look at you like you’re insane; like you’re dangerous. I also couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be so depressed that you would want to harm yourself.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read. The first reason why is that it is realistic. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies, or a soft and squishy love story. It is deep, and full of pure emotion and sometimes even depressing (It’s about a young woman’s depression, so you would expect the depressing bit). Another reason is that I think this book offers insight into what depression can really be like for those you do not understand it. We all know someone with depression or has been depressed and this book gives you a firsthand experience with it. But if something like this greatly disturbs you then I would recommend not reading it. However, if you can handle it then I say you should. It can be an eye opener.
Sylvia Plath was an American novelist and poet. She suffered from depression for most of her adult life and wrote “The Bell Jar” before she had committed suicide in 1963. The book was published in 1963 in England, but not in America until 1971 because Plath’s mother wanted to block it. Sylvia wrote to her mother "What I've done is to throw together events from my own life, fictionalising to add colour- it's a pot boiler really, but I think it will show how isolated a person feels when he is suffering a breakdown.... I've tried to picture my world and the people in it as seen through the distorting lens of a bell jar". “The Bell Jar” is considered as a semi-autobiographical because much of the story was based upon Sylvia’s own life. Plath said “The Bell Jar” is "an autobiographical apprentice work which I had to write in order to free myself from the past".
Assignment #3
ReplyDeleteIn the book "The Bell Jar" a girl named Esthler Green wood is weirdly depressed and is looking for some meaning in her life. She gets the opportunity to work as a magazine editor for a women Jay Cee, and with this she meets a lot of new people and hope that she can find someone or something to have positive meaning in her life. She is faced with a lot of challenges along the way. I didn't really find this book interesting because it was too slow passed for me. I agree that the author was very I'm depth with describing events and feelings throughout the book. Maybe some people will like this book if they are into the emotional side of things, but if you're into intense, passionate, action or thrillers then this book isn't for you. The only thing I liked about this book was how descriptive it was, and how it can relate to people feelings and life experiences. This makes me think that some
people might like this book, but not enough to recommend it to anyone. Overall the book wasn't good at all, and I wouldn't select it unless for a select few. A major reason why I don't like the book is how long and boring it is, for example the story line is boring and I don't like how slowly paced it is. I feel that If the story had more intense and dramatic events then everything would be ok. . The author of this book, Sylvia Plath has had a long line of work from poems and other in depth emotional forms of literature. She died in 1963 but still many of other journalist and writers are still talking about her work, so she has left a great impact on the writing world
I would consider reading this book, it seems very interesting. I feel like I would be able to kind of connect with the character in the book. I see that you don't like the book, but I think you just don't relate to the character, so I'll give the book a try and see if I like the book!
DeleteAssignment#3; Jessica Phan
you do that
DeleteMy view on banned book in school libraries is that I think it's ok to have them allowed. It takes to much work into trying to ban one, with all the meetings and drama and confusing and arguing, I thinks it's pointless for all the to happen when all that is need is for the parent to talk to the student. Then there would be no problem in the community of having all the news and meeting and controversy with each other. There should be a time and place for censorship in the community but not for books. Like graphic pictures or movies or tv shows, but while reading people have the choice to use there imaginations on what they want to see. Is the ardent doesn't complain about a name book, why should a parent? I think if there is any action to ban a book the readers in school should put effort into banning it. It's there opinions and choices. Not the parents that matter. Most of the banned
ReplyDeletebooks are the best books ever written so it's a good learning experience. So overall the banning in books shouldn't be that big of a deal. They should allow to have any book In the school library, but if there is any controversy with a student or parent about a book they shouldn't make a big deal about it, all they have to so is not read it or learn about it. Maybe some permission slips will need to be filled out or something.
Melanie
ReplyDeleteAssignment #4
For this blog we are to discuss our opinions about censorship and banned books. I personally believe that censorship, in certain scenarios, is appropriate. I don’t think a middle schooler would be able to read “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath because, not only would it be above their reading lever, but it could be a disturbing read. In seventh, or even eighth grade, I wouldn’t have been mature enough to read such a depressing book. In that sort of setting it would make sense to ban the book. Parents wouldn’t want their children to read such literature at a young age. But I would think that during and after high school you are mature enough to read anything containing graphic violence, or minor sexual content. So no, I do not think that it is acceptable to ban a book from public high schools or local libraries. If a book is banned from a school’s library I think it would be the student’s responsibility to ask why it was banned, and to read said-banned-book for oneself and decide whether or not it was appropriate to remove the book. We cannot let others decide what is appropriate for us to read and what is not. That, I believe, is a violation of private domain. If one reads the book in question and thinks, “Yes, this should be banned from our school library”, then they see that it was challenged for a reason. But if they think “There is no reason to ban this book” then they should be encouraged to challenge the challenger, and make an argument for removing the censorship of the book. This is the very same way I would act if a book was banned from Centennial’s school library.
It makes sense to censor any sort of media to keep young children from being exposed to violence, sex, drugs and the like. But after a certain age children should be encouraged to see the world for what it is. To see that things like sex, drugs, and violence do in fact happen and exists in our world. And there are so many diverse cultures and ideas and opinions in our world, and why shouldn’t we be exposed to that? Why shouldn’t we be exposed to the bad and not-so-clean things in life? They happen every day. And, in my opinion, we wouldn’t be able to see the good things in life if the bad ones weren’t there. The bad and the ugly are the absolute truth. If we are censored from that we are living a lie.
I think there are two major reasons why “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath was challenged. One: The disturbing detail. It goes so in depth into Esther’s thoughts and emotions; so in depth with her depression, that it feels so real to the reader, almost to the point where it can be unsettling. The same can be said about the descriptions of Esther’s several suicide attempts. It could be discomforting for most readers. Reason two: the book mentions birth control. Now keep in mind that this book was published in the 50’s-60’s, and back then it was incredibly wrong for a woman to even think of, let alone have, birth control because it was a woman’s job to have children. Later in the book Esther gets a fitting for a diaphragm, a form of birth control. There are also minor reasons why the book was challenged: Minor sexual content and a very, very small amount of swearing. The word “negro” is said maybe twice, but in that time period it was an acceptable term to use.
I think this book can be beneficial in a way because it gives the reader a first-person insight and first-hand experience with depression. We’ve all known someone with or someone who has had depression, or even someone who has attempted suicide. And in the worst cases, has committed suicide. As the reader, we can see what it is like through the eyes of someone who is chronically depressed, and we can even connect and learn from it. I think the benefits of such a read far outweigh the gruesome, and dark details of the psych.