10 questions on plot, characters, and themes. Free to take, so you can see exactly what to review before class.
1. What event triggers Esther's decision to stop trying to function after she returns home from New York?
2. How does Dr. Nolan's approach to Esther's care differ from Dr. Gordon's?
3. What is Esther's primary motivation for losing her virginity to Irwin?
4. What does the bell jar represent in the novel?
5. Why does Esther feel disconnected during her month as a guest editor in New York, despite what should be an exciting opportunity?
6. What role does Philomena Guinea play in Esther's recovery?
7. How does Joan Gilling's presence in the hospital affect Esther?
8. What does the fig tree image in the novel represent?
9. What is the primary source of tension between Esther and her mother?
10. What does the novel suggest about the relationship between 1950s femininity and Esther's mental breakdown?
0 of 10 answered
How this guide is built
This guide is built from the original text to help you get oriented fast. It is designed for recall, paper planning, and getting unstuck, but it is still a paraphrased guide, not a substitute for the reading itself. Double-check anything important before you turn in formal work.
