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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 Esther notice about the people outside of the hospital?

2. How does the shock treatment make Esther feel?

3. Where does Esther tell the sailor she is is from?

4. Why does Esther's mother bring her roses?

5. Who is Esther's next door neighbor in the hospital once her room is moved "up front"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Esther's feelings about the women living in Belsize

2. How does Esther feel as she is waiting to enter her exit hearing?

3. How does the private hospital staff compare to those at the public hospital?

4. Describe the circumstances that led to Esther's hospitalization.

5. What thoughts consume Esther after finding out she must have shock treatments?

6. Characterize Esther's behavior in the psychiatric wards of the hospitals

7. Describe Esther's feelings as she visits the gynecologist.

8. What keeps Esther from drowning herself at the beach?

9. What do the voices in Esther's head tell her as she sits in the park contemplating suicide?

10. Describe Irwin

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Friendships have a major impact on Esther's development throughout the novel. Choose two of the women who Esther is friends with and:

1) describe the friendship

2) discuss the impact that this friendship had on Esther

3) analyze what the author is saying about friendships and their importance for women in general.

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

Essay Topic 2

In The Bell Jar, a few minor characters have a major impact on the story line. Select two of the following minor characters to analyze: Doreen, Joan, Buddy Willard, Mrs. Greenwood and Jay Cee. Discuss:

1) the personality (character traits) of this character

2) the relationship between this minor character and the major characters in the story

3) the impact of this character on the story line--How does s/he influence the overall story line? How would the story be different if this character was removed?

Essay Topic 3

The Bell Jar is a thinly veiled autobiography of a period in Sylvia Plath's life. Based on articles read in class about Plath:

1) compare the author's life with Esther's

2) note areas where the author steps away from autobiography. Comment on why she did this.

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

(see the answer keys)

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