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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 does Jody set Esther up on a blind date with?

2. Why does Esther compare her photo with that of a dead girl published in the paper?

3. Where does Esther wake up at the start of this chapter?

4. What keeps Esther from committing suicide with the cord from her mother's robe?

5. Why did Joan say she dated Buddy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene at the cemetery.

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

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

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

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

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

7. Describe Irwin

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

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

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 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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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