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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 causes Esther's skiing accident?

2. Why had Esther visited her family doctor?

3. What does Esther find outside of her door the morning after Doreen came home drunk?

4. What does Esther decide about her relationship with Constantin during their dinner date?

5. Why has a medical student been assigned to deliver the woman's baby on the day Esther and Buddy visit the hospital?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the situation that leads Esther to leave Lenny's apartment

2. Why does Esther decide to take a bath when she returns to her hotel?

3. What is Eric's philosophy on sexual relationships?

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

5. According to Esther, what is her mother's opinion of her interest in becoming a writer or editor?

6. What is Esther's opinion of Betsy?

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

8. Why is Esther surprised when Buddy comes to visit her at college?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Romantic relationships have a major impact on Esther's development throughout the novel. Choose two of the men who Esther has relationships with (even short relationships) and:

1) describe the relationship

2) discuss the impact that this relationship had on Esther

3) analyze what the author is saying about romantic relationships and their impact on women in general.

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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