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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 do to let Constantin know she is interested in having sex with him?

2. How does Esther feel as she careens down the ski slope?

3. What does Mrs. Greenwood convince Esther she should do since she will not be taking the writing course?

4. Why doesn't Esther want her picture taken for the magazine?

5. For Esther the world is divided along the lines of---

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jay Cee want Esther to come into the office instead of attending the fur show?

2. Describe what runs through Esther's head when she and Constantin are visiting the UN.

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

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

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

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

7. What news does Mrs. Greenwood deliver to Esther when she picks her up from the train station? How does Esther react?

8. How does Esther change from the beginning to the end of this chapter?

9. 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?

10. Why does Marco attack Esther?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of The Bell Jar, Esther is about to be released from the asylum. Write an essay discussing:

1) whether or not she is ready to leave the hospital

2) what the future holds for her

3) how you think she'll do in the "real world".

Use specific examples from the novel to come up with and support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath provides a commentary on American women. Choose three major scenes or characters from the novel and:

1) describe them as they relate to women

2) explain what you think Plath was trying to say about women through this scene/character.

Be sure to cite specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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