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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. Why does Esther's mother bring her roses?

2. What does Esther wear to her exit hearing at the asylum?

3. Why does Buddy Willard visit Esther in the asylum?

4. Who do Esther and Joan both get letters from?

5. What treasure does Esther take with her to solitary confinement?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Irwin

2. How does the private hospital staff compare to those at the public hospital?

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

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

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

6. What does Esther do at Deer Island?

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

8. Describe Esther's encounter with the sailor

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

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

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

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.

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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