• Blog – Why does Esther feel such a need to sleep with Irwin? Does she feel better or different after it has happened?
In chapter 19 Esther runs into Irwin on the steps of the Widener Library. He asks her for the time and after she answers him he asks her where she is going. Instead of replying, back to the asylum, she said home, because he looked promising. Esther also felt that she wanted someone with more experience to make up for her lack of it, and Irwin mentioned to Esther that he did get along well with women. She also didn’t know him all that well so she thought that it would be fine to go ahead with it because she wouldn’t go on to knowing him. After it was over, Esther noticed that the towel was red with blood, and she became worried and asked Irwin if it was normal. Esther goes back to the asylum where Joan is and she takes her to the emergency room. This experience has definitely hurt Esther, but it would soon get worse. After Esther returned to the asylum from the hospital, Dr. Quinn asked if she knew where Joan was. “One of the orderlies found her…. just now, coming to work…. she’s not…dead…. I’m afraid she’s hanged herself.” (Pg.235) The book end with Esther stepping into the room, we will never know if she left the mental institution or escaped her bell jar.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
The Bell Jar Blog 10
• Blog – Why does Esther feel such a need to sleep with Irwin? Does she feel better or different after it has happened?
In chapter 19 Esther runs into Irwin on the steps of the Widener Library. He asks her for the time and after she answers him he asks her where she is going. Instead of replying, back to the asylum, she said home, because he looked promising. Esther also felt that she wanted someone with more experience to make up for her lack of it, and Irwin mentioned to Esther that he did get along well with women. She also didn’t know him all that well so she thought that it would be fine to go ahead with it because she wouldn’t go on to knowing him. After it was over, Esther noticed that the towel was red with blood, and she became worried and asked Irwin if it was normal. Esther goes back to the asylum where Joan is and she takes her to the emergency room. This experience has definitely hurt Esther, but it would soon get worse. After Esther returned to the asylum from the hospital, Dr. Quinn asked if she knew where Joan was. “One of the orderlies found her…. just now, coming to work…. she’s not…dead…. I’m afraid she’s hanged herself.” (Pg.235) The book end with Esther stepping into the room, we will never know if she left the mental institution or escaped her bell jar.
In chapter 19 Esther runs into Irwin on the steps of the Widener Library. He asks her for the time and after she answers him he asks her where she is going. Instead of replying, back to the asylum, she said home, because he looked promising. Esther also felt that she wanted someone with more experience to make up for her lack of it, and Irwin mentioned to Esther that he did get along well with women. She also didn’t know him all that well so she thought that it would be fine to go ahead with it because she wouldn’t go on to knowing him. After it was over, Esther noticed that the towel was red with blood, and she became worried and asked Irwin if it was normal. Esther goes back to the asylum where Joan is and she takes her to the emergency room. This experience has definitely hurt Esther, but it would soon get worse. After Esther returned to the asylum from the hospital, Dr. Quinn asked if she knew where Joan was. “One of the orderlies found her…. just now, coming to work…. she’s not…dead…. I’m afraid she’s hanged herself.” (Pg.235) The book end with Esther stepping into the room, we will never know if she left the mental institution or escaped her bell jar.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Bell Jar Blog 9
• Blog – What does Esther mean when she says she feels trapped under a bell jar?
“I would be sitting under the same glass bell jar, stewing in my own sour air.” (Pg. 185) She is saying that no matter what, she will always be stuck. The bell jar she is referring to is not an actual jar; it is more of her imagination. The beginning of her strange behavior starts after she discovered that Buddy had cheated on her she came up with two different types of people, people like Buddy, and people like her, who are pure. From there she is put into a hospital so that she can be cured. She mentions being trapped by the “bell jar” several times while in the various hospitals, so to me she feels more confined when she is in the hospitals. In the hospitals she is constantly being watched. However, while she is in these hospitals she is unable to commit suicide, so in a way her “bell jar” could be what is helping her to stay alive.
“I would be sitting under the same glass bell jar, stewing in my own sour air.” (Pg. 185) She is saying that no matter what, she will always be stuck. The bell jar she is referring to is not an actual jar; it is more of her imagination. The beginning of her strange behavior starts after she discovered that Buddy had cheated on her she came up with two different types of people, people like Buddy, and people like her, who are pure. From there she is put into a hospital so that she can be cured. She mentions being trapped by the “bell jar” several times while in the various hospitals, so to me she feels more confined when she is in the hospitals. In the hospitals she is constantly being watched. However, while she is in these hospitals she is unable to commit suicide, so in a way her “bell jar” could be what is helping her to stay alive.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Bell Jar Blog 8
• Blog – Describe the new asylum Esther goes to? What might life have been like had she been forced to stay where she was?
Chapter 15 starts off with Esther being transferred to a new private hospital. This new private hospital is adjacent to the big state hospital. When she first gets in her new room she looks out her window and says, “If I jumped I wouldn’t even bruise my knees.” (Pg. 186) This shows us that Esther is still having thoughts of suicide. The new asylum Esther is at seems a lot like a retirement home. The nurses are friendly and are always with her. Esther even points out that at supper they used real glasses, instead of paper cups like they used at the state hospital. Esther’s doctor Nolan talked with Esther about Dr. Gordon and after Esther told her she said that shock-treatment was not supposed to be like that, instead she said some people actually enjoy it. However, Esther seems to be more relaxed at this hospital. In chapter 16 Esther meets a girl by the name of Joan. Joan has been collecting newspaper articles about Esther’s attempts at suicide. They talk for a while and then Joan gets around to showing Esther her clippings of the stories about her. If Esther would have stayed at the state hospital I don’t think that she would have done very well, she didn’t get the attention she wanted and she thought all the doctors were mean.
Chapter 15 starts off with Esther being transferred to a new private hospital. This new private hospital is adjacent to the big state hospital. When she first gets in her new room she looks out her window and says, “If I jumped I wouldn’t even bruise my knees.” (Pg. 186) This shows us that Esther is still having thoughts of suicide. The new asylum Esther is at seems a lot like a retirement home. The nurses are friendly and are always with her. Esther even points out that at supper they used real glasses, instead of paper cups like they used at the state hospital. Esther’s doctor Nolan talked with Esther about Dr. Gordon and after Esther told her she said that shock-treatment was not supposed to be like that, instead she said some people actually enjoy it. However, Esther seems to be more relaxed at this hospital. In chapter 16 Esther meets a girl by the name of Joan. Joan has been collecting newspaper articles about Esther’s attempts at suicide. They talk for a while and then Joan gets around to showing Esther her clippings of the stories about her. If Esther would have stayed at the state hospital I don’t think that she would have done very well, she didn’t get the attention she wanted and she thought all the doctors were mean.
The Bell Jar Blog 7
What is wrong with Esther? Why does she try to kill herself?
“That morning I tried to hang myself.” (Pg. 158) The only reason she was not dead was because her house did not have the right kind of ceiling to tie a rope to. Then she and Cal go swimming and during that time she attempts to drown herself. “I dived, and dived again, and each time popped up like a cork.” (Pg. 161) Esther has really been affected by the doctor’s treatment. Then once again at the end of chapter 13 Esther tries to commit suicide. She tries to kill herself because she is depressed and she thinks she doesn’t belong anywhere.
“That morning I tried to hang myself.” (Pg. 158) The only reason she was not dead was because her house did not have the right kind of ceiling to tie a rope to. Then she and Cal go swimming and during that time she attempts to drown herself. “I dived, and dived again, and each time popped up like a cork.” (Pg. 161) Esther has really been affected by the doctor’s treatment. Then once again at the end of chapter 13 Esther tries to commit suicide. She tries to kill herself because she is depressed and she thinks she doesn’t belong anywhere.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Bell Jar Blog 6
• Blog – Why doesn’t Esther like Dr. Gordon? Is he hurting or helping her?
Esther goes to Dr. Gordon two times. Esther goes to Dr. Gordon because she cannot sleep, she hasn’t washed her hair in three weeks; she is suffering from depression. Her first trip to Dr. Gordon isn’t a good one, he asks Esther if she can tell him what is wrong, he is not being the kind of doctor she wants him to be. On her second trip he suggests electro-shock treatment. This causes Esther to think thoughts of suicide. She receives one treatment of electro-shock and it does not help, in fact it may have made things worse. She is now loosing sense of time. I think that Dr. Gordon has hurt Esther more then he has helped her. He has made her thoughts darker, and the treatment has all but helped her.
Esther goes to Dr. Gordon two times. Esther goes to Dr. Gordon because she cannot sleep, she hasn’t washed her hair in three weeks; she is suffering from depression. Her first trip to Dr. Gordon isn’t a good one, he asks Esther if she can tell him what is wrong, he is not being the kind of doctor she wants him to be. On her second trip he suggests electro-shock treatment. This causes Esther to think thoughts of suicide. She receives one treatment of electro-shock and it does not help, in fact it may have made things worse. She is now loosing sense of time. I think that Dr. Gordon has hurt Esther more then he has helped her. He has made her thoughts darker, and the treatment has all but helped her.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Bell Jar Blog 5
• Blog – How does Esther act when she returns to Boston? How might her night with Marco have influenced her actions?
It is Esther’s last night in New York. Doreen sets her up on a blind date with Marco. When she first meets Marco he gives her a diamond as to try to persuade her to like him. “Her first diamond. Give it to her, Marco.” (Pg. 105) However, as the evening wears on, Marco proves to be anything but a gentleman. He persuades her to join him in the garden where he then rips her dress down to the waist and continually hissed “Slut” into Esther’s ear. In order to free herself she kicks him until he releases his grasp. He demands his diamond back and threatens to break her neck. The next day Esther is on a train going back to Boston. On the way back she looked in the mirror and described herself as a sick Indian. Esther’s life is becoming more and more depressing.
It is Esther’s last night in New York. Doreen sets her up on a blind date with Marco. When she first meets Marco he gives her a diamond as to try to persuade her to like him. “Her first diamond. Give it to her, Marco.” (Pg. 105) However, as the evening wears on, Marco proves to be anything but a gentleman. He persuades her to join him in the garden where he then rips her dress down to the waist and continually hissed “Slut” into Esther’s ear. In order to free herself she kicks him until he releases his grasp. He demands his diamond back and threatens to break her neck. The next day Esther is on a train going back to Boston. On the way back she looked in the mirror and described herself as a sick Indian. Esther’s life is becoming more and more depressing.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Bell Jar Blog 4
• Blog – What does Esther want from Constantin? How does he react? What do you think of his reaction?
Esther’s motivation for going on a date with Constantin is to get back at Buddy. She wants to try and have sex so that she can feel “even” with Buddy. After eating, Esther decided to let Constantin seduce her, however, he did not do this. Instead, Constantin acts like a “pure” man and tries not to violate her. He tries to keep their date from getting out of hand since this is only their first. Esther thought that most men were like Buddy, all wanting to have sex, however the one time she wants to have it, her date does not. So, she ends up returning to her hotel still a virgin. From what I have read and compared to all the other men in the book, Constantin seems like the only gentleman.
Esther’s motivation for going on a date with Constantin is to get back at Buddy. She wants to try and have sex so that she can feel “even” with Buddy. After eating, Esther decided to let Constantin seduce her, however, he did not do this. Instead, Constantin acts like a “pure” man and tries not to violate her. He tries to keep their date from getting out of hand since this is only their first. Esther thought that most men were like Buddy, all wanting to have sex, however the one time she wants to have it, her date does not. So, she ends up returning to her hotel still a virgin. From what I have read and compared to all the other men in the book, Constantin seems like the only gentleman.
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Bell Jar Blog 3
• Blog – What does Esther think of Buddy? What does she want from him? What does she want him to think of her?
When Esther first meet Buddy she adored him. Their parents were good friends. She has wanted Buddy to like her and spend time with her. Buddy asks her to the Yale Junior Prom. However, later on in the chapter Esther asks Buddy if he has ever had an affair. She expected him to say, “ No, I have been saving myself for when I get married to somebody pure and a virgin like you.” (Pg. 69) He tells her of his affair with a waitress and because she knows very little about relationships she asks the other girls. They tell her that all men are like that and that she should just accept it. However, she cannot stand this and so one of the ways she tries to get “even” with Buddy is to have sex with Constantin.
When Esther first meet Buddy she adored him. Their parents were good friends. She has wanted Buddy to like her and spend time with her. Buddy asks her to the Yale Junior Prom. However, later on in the chapter Esther asks Buddy if he has ever had an affair. She expected him to say, “ No, I have been saving myself for when I get married to somebody pure and a virgin like you.” (Pg. 69) He tells her of his affair with a waitress and because she knows very little about relationships she asks the other girls. They tell her that all men are like that and that she should just accept it. However, she cannot stand this and so one of the ways she tries to get “even” with Buddy is to have sex with Constantin.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Bell Jar Blog 2
• How does Esther avoid Chemistry in college? Why might she find science so overwhelming?
Esther tells her story of how she got an A in her first class. Then she tells us her story about physics and how she only got an A because she was terrified of the subject. “I may have made a straight A in physics, but it was panic-struck.” (Pg. 35) She knew that Chemistry would be even worse. Because she was a English major, she created a plan to tell the Dean that she needed the time to take a course in Shakespeare and because she had gotten an A before, she knew that the teacher would know she would get an A again. Esther knew that without her first A that she would have never succeed with this plan. She might find science so overwhelming because of the table of elements that she had noticed. She didn’t want to have to strain her brain with anymore of memorizing elements. She said that she would go mad and outright fail the course.
Esther tells her story of how she got an A in her first class. Then she tells us her story about physics and how she only got an A because she was terrified of the subject. “I may have made a straight A in physics, but it was panic-struck.” (Pg. 35) She knew that Chemistry would be even worse. Because she was a English major, she created a plan to tell the Dean that she needed the time to take a course in Shakespeare and because she had gotten an A before, she knew that the teacher would know she would get an A again. Esther knew that without her first A that she would have never succeed with this plan. She might find science so overwhelming because of the table of elements that she had noticed. She didn’t want to have to strain her brain with anymore of memorizing elements. She said that she would go mad and outright fail the course.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Bell Jar Blog 1
• Explain the first line of the novel. What does it show about Esther and her experience in New York.
“It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I don’t know what I was I was doing in New York.” (Pg. 1) The first line in the novel alerts the reader to some of the conflicts that will be dealt with in this novel. Esther revels to the reader that they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, which is an unpleasant picture. This relates to how her first summer in New York was, “queer, sultry summer.” (Pg. 1) A few lines into the book, Esther refers to herself as “stupid” and that just the thought of death makes her sick. After the execution, all she could think about was death and the Rosenbergs. Summer is supposed to be at time for fun, but what I take from the first line is that her life is full of misfortunes.
“It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I don’t know what I was I was doing in New York.” (Pg. 1) The first line in the novel alerts the reader to some of the conflicts that will be dealt with in this novel. Esther revels to the reader that they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, which is an unpleasant picture. This relates to how her first summer in New York was, “queer, sultry summer.” (Pg. 1) A few lines into the book, Esther refers to herself as “stupid” and that just the thought of death makes her sick. After the execution, all she could think about was death and the Rosenbergs. Summer is supposed to be at time for fun, but what I take from the first line is that her life is full of misfortunes.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Movie Blog 2
• Blog – Comment on a decision made by a character that reflects or revokes a value from the 1950s.
One example of a decision made by a character that revokes a value from the 1950’s is Joan wanting to go to Yale for law school. The girls who go to Wellesley normally graduate then get married, and once your married you are a housewife. Katherine, Joan’s art history teacher noticed that Joan wanted to study law and so she gave her an application to Yale Law School. Katherine’s decision of trying to get her students away from the ‘normal’ is an example of what girls normally did not do in the 1950’s. Katherine didn’t want the girls thinking that getting married was their only choice in life; she wanted to open the window to possibilities.
One example of a decision made by a character that revokes a value from the 1950’s is Joan wanting to go to Yale for law school. The girls who go to Wellesley normally graduate then get married, and once your married you are a housewife. Katherine, Joan’s art history teacher noticed that Joan wanted to study law and so she gave her an application to Yale Law School. Katherine’s decision of trying to get her students away from the ‘normal’ is an example of what girls normally did not do in the 1950’s. Katherine didn’t want the girls thinking that getting married was their only choice in life; she wanted to open the window to possibilities.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Movie Blog 1
• Blog – Comment on how the film is portraying the time period of the 1950s.
The movie Mona Lisa Smile is a film that portrays the time period of the 1950’s. The movie takes place in 1953 at Wellesley College, which is an all girls’ school. Katherine Watson is a new teacher at Wellesley College and she was hit hard by how much the girls knew. Her first day in class she attempted to show transparencies, however it did not go well because the girls already knew them because they only study what is on the syllabus. Watson caught on quick and the next class period she started showing pictures that were not on the syllabus, requiring the girls to decide for themselves. Another example of how the film portrays the 1950’s in that the girls all have to attend a marriage class. This class teaches the girls how to act towards their future husbands because the expectation was that they would graduate and then get married. In this time period men seem to have more ‘freedom’ then women. For example, one of the male teachers sleeps with his students and is not punished yet when the school nurse begins handing out birth control she is fired. During this time period they believed that a girl should be married before she could be given birth control.
The movie Mona Lisa Smile is a film that portrays the time period of the 1950’s. The movie takes place in 1953 at Wellesley College, which is an all girls’ school. Katherine Watson is a new teacher at Wellesley College and she was hit hard by how much the girls knew. Her first day in class she attempted to show transparencies, however it did not go well because the girls already knew them because they only study what is on the syllabus. Watson caught on quick and the next class period she started showing pictures that were not on the syllabus, requiring the girls to decide for themselves. Another example of how the film portrays the 1950’s in that the girls all have to attend a marriage class. This class teaches the girls how to act towards their future husbands because the expectation was that they would graduate and then get married. In this time period men seem to have more ‘freedom’ then women. For example, one of the male teachers sleeps with his students and is not punished yet when the school nurse begins handing out birth control she is fired. During this time period they believed that a girl should be married before she could be given birth control.
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