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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 Joan find in a magazine that shocks Esther?

2. How does Esther ultimately decide she will do to commit suicide?

3. What does Esther notice about the people outside of the hospital?

4. According to Dr. Nolan, how often will Esther need to have shock treatments?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Esther's encounter with the sailor

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

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

4. Describe Irwin

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

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

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

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

9. Describe Esther's feelings about the women living in Belsize

10. What is the only item that gives Esther pleasure in the hospital? Why?

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

In The Bell Jar there the author uses recurrent symbolism to represent aspects of Esther's story. Select two of the following symbols ( mirrors, water, babies, the bell jar) and:

1) describe how the author uses this symbol at at least two points in the story

2) discuss what the symbol represents about Esther at that point in the story

3) discuss what the overall message the author is trying to send about Esther using this symbol.

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

Essay Topic 3

Throughout The Bell Jar, Esther moves between the present and the past. Select three of the flashback scenes and:

1) describe what happens in each of these scenes

2) discuss the significance of each scene in Esther's life

3) discuss how the flashback scene relates to the "present" time scene it is embedded in.

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

(see the answer keys)

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