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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 led Joan to run away from home?

2. Who is Joan planning on living with when she leaves the asylum?

3. Where will Esther live after leaving the asylum?

4. What does the nurse tell Esther to help her feel more relaxed during her first shock treatment?

5. How does the shock treatment make Esther feel?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is Esther's shock treatment experience at the private hospital different than the one she had with Dr. Gordon?

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

4. Describe Irwin

5. What does Esther do at Deer Island?

6. What does Dr. Nolan tell Esther about shock treatments in this chapter?

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

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

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

10. What does Dr. Nolan tell Esther to help her feel better about Joan's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the significance of the novel's title. Be sure to include:

1) a definition of "bell jar"

2) the relationship between the bell jar and Esther

3) what the bell jar represents about Esther's character.

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

Essay Topic 3

As The Bell Jar develops, so does the main character's mental illness. In your essay:

1) describe the progression of her illness

2) describe and explain the "red flags" that showed she was getting increasingly worse

3) comment on the role that the other characters played in her deterioration.

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

(see the answer keys)

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