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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the only girl working at the magazine who does not get sick?

2. What "trick" do Betsy, Hilda and the other girls learn at the fur show?

3. What did Esther's doctor prescribe to help her symptoms?

4. What is keeping Esther from telling Buddy that she has no intention of marrying him?

5. Why does Doreen vomit on the carpet of the hotel hallway?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Esther's standing joke with her grandfather about caviar?

2. What is Esther's opinion of Betsy?

3. How does Buddy react when Esther falls while skiing?

4. Describe the sanatorium where Buddy is receiving treatment for TB.

5. Contrast Esther's and Buddy's feelings about his diagnosis

6. Why does Marco attack Esther?

7. What leads Esther to be invited for lunch by Philomena Guinea?

8. Describe the article that Esther's mother gives her from Reader's Digest ("In Defense of Chastity").

9. What happens on the hill behind the chemistry lab at Yale?

10. Describe the movie that the girls go to see from Esther's point of view

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This novel deals with the relationship between talent and mental stability. In your essay:

1) discuss how this relationship plays out in Esther and the other characters

2) state what you think Plath is saying about this relationship

3) comment on Plath's ideas. Is she right? Why or why not?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

In The Bell Jar there the author uses recurrent symbolism to represent aspects of Esther's story. Select two of the following symbols ( mirrors, water, babies, the bell jar) and:

1) describe how the author uses this symbol at at least two points in the story

2) discuss what the symbol represents about Esther at that point in the story

3) discuss what the overall message the author is trying to send about Esther using this symbol.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

The Bell Jar takes place in several different settings. Compare and contrast three of the settings focusing on:

1) describing the setting and Esther's role within it

2) the significance of the setting in Esther's development.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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