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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. What does Marco give Esther?

2. Why can't Marco marry the woman he is in love with?

3. What keeps Esther and Doreen from attending the magazine party?

4. Who is Philomena Guinea?

5. What disheartens Esther the most about Jay Cee's suggestions for bolstering her career?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Esther decide about her friendship with Doreen the night of their visit to Lenny's apartment? What causes her to make this decision?

2. Describe the story that Esther reads in the short story book from the Ladies' Day magazine

3. Why does Marco give Esther his diamond stick pin?

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

5. Compare Constantin and Buddy.

6. Describe Jay Cee (from Esther's perspective)

7. Describe the birth scene that Esther and Buddy witness from Esther's point of view

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

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

10. How does Buddy tell Esther about losing his virginity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout The Bell Jar, Esther moves between the present and the past. Select three of the flashback scenes and:

1) describe what happens in each of these scenes

2) discuss the significance of each scene in Esther's life

3) discuss how the flashback scene relates to the "present" time scene it is embedded in.

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

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The Bell Jar is a commentary on the mental health system in the US. In your essay:

1) describe how the mental health system appears in the novel

2) discuss what Plath is saying about the system.

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

(see the answer keys)

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