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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 surprises Esther about Buddy's appearance when she first sees him at the sanatorium?

2. Who is Esther "cursed" to have had to eat breakfast with in the hotel cafeteria?

3. At what age does Esther say she stopped being "purely happy"?

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

5. What is keeping Esther from telling Buddy that she has no intention of marrying him?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Buddy's first visit to Esther's college

3. Describe Buddy's letter to Esther (that is waiting for her when she gets home).

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. How does Esther convince the college to exempt her from the chemistry course requirement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Esther's family live has a subtle but important effect on the changes that she undergoes throughout the novel. Discuss:

1) Esther's family dynamics

2) the impact of Esther's family life on her personal life

3) how Esther's life would have been different if both of her parents had been alive.

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

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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