The Bell Jar (novel)

"The Bell Jar" is a semi-autobiographical novel by Sylvia Plath, published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. It follows Esther Greenwood, a young woman navigating societal expectations and personal struggles in 1950s America. As she pursues a career in writing, Esther experiences a mental breakdown, leading to hospitalization. The novel explores themes of identity, mental illness, and the pressures of conformity, capturing Esther's feelings of isolation and entrapment, symbolized by the 'bell jar' that distorts her reality. Plath’s poignant prose offers insight into the complexities of mental health and the search for self in a confining world.