The Bell Jar Research Paper

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Jonathan Avila
Ms. Melissa Walker
AP English 3
4 March 2010
Women’s Roles and Their Evolution through Literature and Events How are women viewed in society? Have the ways in which women have been viewed changed over the years and throughout the decades? Do the setting and surrounding people around someone change the views of how woman are viewed? Can a novel or book reflect how women were really treated? Through women implicated novels, American literature, and current notable facts these questions can be answered. However before those questions can be answered, research has been arranged; and the sources leading to an answer must be analyzed and explained. In order to answer these questions this essay has been organized to
help explain and distribute the possible answers to these aging questions. This essay is divided into two main parts. The first part consists of several prolific literary novels’ analysis that mentions and describes women acceptance and roles in the early nineteen hundreds. In the second section of the essay, notable women accomplishments are applauded and contrasted with the conflicting, old ways in which women were to be expected of. Throughout the essay the way in which females were characterized and how they came to be to their current characterization is analyzed and explained. Avila 2
The twentieth century went under many changes in several aspects, through politics, races, economic traits, and especially gender understandings.
It is quite clear that now in more modern times women have been treated differently. In a matter that was much hesitant to exist. The right to vote, career opportunities and salaries, women athletics, and women expectations are some of the few ways women behavior acceptance has evolved over time in the twentieth century. The Bell Jar, an autobiographical novel by Sylvia Plath, tells the story of Esther Greenwood. Young Esther is in search of success and self fulfillment as she navigates her young life. The Bell Jar shares many examples of how girls and women were treated during the nineteen fifties considering that is when the novel took place. Many common expectations are placed upon women during this time. Such as marring as a virgin, letting your husband support you and your family, and having and raising a lot of children. Being a mother and a professional was a rare an expected trait in women during this era. "So I began to think maybe it was true that when you were married and had children it was like being brainwashed, and afterward you went about as numb as a slave in a totalitarian state(Plath)," Esther shares her objection and thoughts towards commonly accepted women roles in society. Esther’s dream of one day becoming a poet is frequently denied. She is frequently denied by her mother and in everyday life
constantly denied by her common society. The Bell Jar is just but one of the many novels that help present readers understand the circumstances in which women once lived in.
On the Road another novel however this one written by Jack Kerouac tells the story of a couple of boys, their friendship, and their reckless adventure back and forth across the North
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American continent.
Throughout their journey the boys encounter many girls and women and treat them according to what they and most men back then believed to be suitable. Womanizers suitably fit some characters in On the Road. The character’s motives had much to do with how the women were being treated however society’s current acknowledgment on women had much to do with it also. A percentage of men viewed woman as nothing more than an experience. The percentage of men has changed over time. "Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together; sophistication demands that they submit to sex immediately without proper preliminary talk. Not courting talk--eal straight talk about souls, for life is holy and every moment is precious (Kerouac)," Kerouac shares how few wish society would
adapt.
Women over the years have evolved and adapted to the new conditions in which women live in now. Many women have overcome these adversities and have far surpassed past women expectations and regulated roles. Current living examples are great sources. Just as Ms. Greenwood did not truly believe her daughter, Esther, could succeed now current women have struck and succeeded. Especially those able to succeed in a career, such as a novelist career much like a poet Esther strive to be, that shares responsibility with the demanding acts of being a tending wife and mother. J.K. Rowling a pride living example of what Esther one day dreamed of being. Although J.K. Rowling is not a poet like Esther dreamed of, being an author was not much differently accepted back in the period were society frequently denied Esther. Mrs. Rowling now the wealthiest women novelist of all time is at once married and a proud mother claiming she will put her daughter in front of her work any and all the time. “I meet the demands of writing, promotion and my daughter in the same way every working mother copes--with great difficulty sometimes, and by learning to say no! My daughter comes first, Harry second, and then
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I start weeding out non-priorities, (Rowling)” Mrs. Rowling answers how she meets the demands of raising her daughter, dealing with the press and promotion, and still able to make writing a priority. Esther’s dreams are now not all that so impossible or out of reach, Mrs. Rowling is a great objection to past regulations.
Present day media is a great source showing that women have overcome this adversity. Nowadays women are treated and accepted completely different. Other current examples in our society of women overcoming adversity are women like Oprah Winfrey, Hilary Clinton, and Mia Hamm not just a successful author like J.K Rowling. Both The Bell Jar and On the Road share many examples of what roles females played in earlier society.
From examining Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, and current women success stories, it can be determined that women as a group are now accepted much differently and the expectations that were once held for them have grown in the eyes of society. Regardless of the audience or spectator no one can critic women accomplishments.