I am discussing medical experiences before the suicide attempt.
When thinking about The Bell Jar, it is almost impossible to not draw connections to the other two books that we have read. With all of the characters not quite fitting in with the system, their reactions and strategies to cope are very interesting. Esther is the first of these characters to actually get medical consideration and help, although she is not the first to need it, probably. The treatment has a lot of significance in the progression of her insanity, but none of which is actual help.
Stephen reaches a level of anxiety about his sinning that would be cause for medical attention. In Holden’s case, we discussed in class about his bipolar nature that was less self-destructive than the other two but also could have been diagnosed. We have now begun to see Esther develop a condition of her own. However, unlike the other protagonists, she sort of seeks out medical help and has multiple experiences with a psychiatrist.
The first thing that the medical treatment represents is the solidification of the craziness for Esther. It is not easy to identify mental illness in oneself. The turning point often comes when medical attention is called upon. Avoiding such treatment is a typical form of denial so this is a big step for her. Second, seeking the help of the doctor represents a way for Esther's mother to help her daughter. Watching one’s chile go insane is rather difficult, I would imagine. Therefore, I think this will give her mother hope, which is very important. Finally, after the horrible shock “treatment”, she thinks of the entire experience as a punishment, not a help. The idea of punishment holds a lot of weight in her increasingly irrational thoughts and fears.
The medical treatment that Esther seeks is certainly unique to the protagonists. It is very significant and shows a lot about her battle with the illness. However, the one think it definitely did not do: treat her.
Your mention of Stephen perhaps needing some kind of medical "help" for his sin-ridden anxiety in chap. 3 suggests that his confession to the priest might serve something like this function (a kind of medicine for the soul?). And since his sense of sin is so laden with guilt, there is a parallel to Esther's sense of her "treatment" as something akin to punishment ("I wondered what terrible thing I had done").
ReplyDeleteGoing off our discussion we had in class today about the correlation between the title of the book, 'The Bell Jar" and how Esther feels in the world, it's interesting to see how Esther finds help. Does she really think she needs help? The idea of going to numerous hospitals for doctors to study and "treat" her doesn't seem pleasant to her. Although she does find help, it's because she's done trying to assimilate with crowd. (Although she does take a dark turn in trying to kill herself multiple times because of this). Because she chooses to behave like this, it is decided that she is in serious need of help. So far, this help hasn't worked, but I am interested to see if Dr. Nolan will have a positive affect on her.
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