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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. Who is Esther's doctor at the private hospital?

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

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

4. Why doesn't Esther wash her clothes or bathe?

5. Why does Dr. Quinn visit Esther late one night?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Irwin

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

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

5. Describe the scene at the cemetery.

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

7. Describe the circumstances that led to Joan's hospitalization.

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator talks about Joan being Esther's double. Compare and contrast these two characters focusing on:

1) their personality traits

2) their progression towards mental illness

3) their progression towards recovery from mental illness.

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

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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