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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. Where will Esther live after leaving the asylum?

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

3. How long has it been since Esther has slept when she first visits Dr. Gordon?

4. What concern about her future does Buddy express to Esther?

5. What infuriates Esther in Dr. Gordon's office?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Esther do at Deer Island?

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

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

6. Describe Irwin

7. What news does Esther expect Dr. Nolan to give her after her insulin reaction? What news does she actually give her?

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

9. Describe Esther's encounter with the sailor

10. How does Esther find out about Joan's homosexuality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Bell Jar is often considered a "coming of age" story. In your essay:

1) describe Esther's journey from adolescence into adulthood

2) describe and comment on the events in her life that help her transition between adolescence and adulthood

3) discuss how successful her transition was. Is she an adult at the end of the novel? Why or why not?

Be sure to cite 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

This novel deals with the relationship between talent and mental stability. In your essay:

1) discuss how this relationship plays out in Esther and the other characters

2) state what you think Plath is saying about this relationship

3) comment on Plath's ideas. Is she right? Why or why not?

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

(see the answer keys)

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