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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. Other than tabloid magazines, what type of books is Esther able to read?

2. Who does Esther meet at the Widener Library?

3. Why does Esther dislike Dr. Gordon?

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

5. What field does Joan tell Esther she plans on studying when she returns to college?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Esther's encounter with the sailor

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Describe the scene at the cemetery.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the significance of the novel's title. Be sure to include:

1) a definition of "bell jar"

2) the relationship between the bell jar and Esther

3) what the bell jar represents about Esther's character.

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

Essay Topic 2

The Bell Jar takes place in several different settings. Compare and contrast three of the settings focusing on:

1) describing the setting and Esther's role within it

2) the significance of the setting in Esther's development.

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

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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