Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Bell Jar,17-18
The first time we hear Esther compare herself to a bell jar, it is because she is talking about how she doesn't feel that grateful that Philomena Guinea is getting her into the special asylum. She feels like Mrs Guinea could buy her a plane ticket to Paris, or a hotel in another wonderful place in the word and she would still feel the same way, trapped. No matter where she goes, the bell jar will always be on top of her, preventing her from escaping, and keeping her trapped. She thinks her sickness will follow her everywhere she goes, preventing her from going and living her life and being happy. In chapter 18, when Esther talks about the bell jar, it is after she had her second shock treatment, and this one actually worked. When she woke up she said that the bell jar was suspended a few feet away from her head. This means that after the shock treatment, she finally began feeling better. Esther no longer felt as trapped as she had in her previous months and years. This treatment gave her hope, and she didn't have to worry anymore about her sickness bringing her down. This was true because after she began having the shock treatments three times a week, she also started being able to get more privileges. Esther was now no longer trapped within the asylum, or emotionally trapped, and as unhappy.
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2 comments:
Abbey,
Good blog, I agree that Esther is starting to get better because she doesn't feel as trapped as before. She was unable to live her life like she wanted to, and this mental disease she thought she could never fix didn't allow her to escape from the world she felt trapped inside. But now, she feels a little better thanks to the positive therapy she is receiving. I liked what you said about the treatment giving her hope that she might be able to recover and live a normal life again someday. It gives us hope for the future that Esther's mental state might improve till she is completely better.
Great job!
Abbey,
Good blog, I agree with you that the bell jar represents Esther being trapped. There is nothing that she can do about it either. Like you said, it follows her and no matter where she goes she is trapped by it. I believe that she is feeling more free, but yet she still feels trapped. She says the bell jar was suspended a few feet, but it is still there. Even though she feels better, I believe that Esther thinks any minute the bell jar will drop and she will once again be trapped.
Good job
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