The Bell Jar
Comparison of Chapter 1 of the Bell Jar and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The bell jar and one flew over the cuckoo’s nest can be linked considerably. Both novels are set in 1950’ America post the ‘cold war’ an era where conformity and obedience is a norm and anything that impairs it isn’t seen as a benefit to society. Both novels explore themes such as paranoia, suspicion and mental health.
The Bell Jar has a significant opening with the first sentence that mentions the execution of the Rosenberg’s “It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenberg’s” The opening immediately foreshadows the expectations that arrive in the novel in addition how society at the time behaved and based assumptions on. The fact that the sentence first opens with the description of electrocution has a major impact as the electrocution is a chilling topic that Esther has to encounter throughout the novel, as the subject of electrocution has been deliberately made important in the first chapter it reflects Esther’s severe perception of the subject its self. Furthermore in chapter 1 it is assumed that paranoia and suspicion also have an important role in the chapter “Goggle-eyed headlines staring up at me on every street corner” the suggestion that society segregated members for having a view point and opinion on controversial topics, and the fact members had to conform if not there will be raised issues and suspicion. In comparison the opening chapter of One flew over the cuckoo’s nest also starts with paranoia and suspicion “They are out there” this condemns the audience to question who and what is out there, a ideology that 1950’s America was secluding individuals on opinions and mental health.
Both of the novels are written in first person narratives which directly parks us into the state of mind of the characters allowing us to ponder and take upon their imagination to perceive the world as they do such as the striking imagery we receive. “I felt as though
The bell jar and one flew over the cuckoo’s nest can be linked considerably. Both novels are set in 1950’ America post the ‘cold war’ an era where conformity and obedience is a norm and anything that impairs it isn’t seen as a benefit to society. Both novels explore themes such as paranoia, suspicion and mental health.
The Bell Jar has a significant opening with the first sentence that mentions the execution of the Rosenberg’s “It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenberg’s” The opening immediately foreshadows the expectations that arrive in the novel in addition how society at the time behaved and based assumptions on. The fact that the sentence first opens with the description of electrocution has a major impact as the electrocution is a chilling topic that Esther has to encounter throughout the novel, as the subject of electrocution has been deliberately made important in the first chapter it reflects Esther’s severe perception of the subject its self. Furthermore in chapter 1 it is assumed that paranoia and suspicion also have an important role in the chapter “Goggle-eyed headlines staring up at me on every street corner” the suggestion that society segregated members for having a view point and opinion on controversial topics, and the fact members had to conform if not there will be raised issues and suspicion. In comparison the opening chapter of One flew over the cuckoo’s nest also starts with paranoia and suspicion “They are out there” this condemns the audience to question who and what is out there, a ideology that 1950’s America was secluding individuals on opinions and mental health.
Both of the novels are written in first person narratives which directly parks us into the state of mind of the characters allowing us to ponder and take upon their imagination to perceive the world as they do such as the striking imagery we receive. “I felt as though