i had a lot of requests for esther from the bell jar, so here goes. regardless of her mental issues, i think esther was probably really a little quirky, off beat and likable, especially in this day and age. so she didn’t like the glitz trampy new york city life? who could blame her? most people i know are much like her, same sort of career (she interned at a fashion mag) and same distaste for the “scene” of it all. eventually, esther’s mental health deteriorated and she entered treatment. she equates her depression to being trapped under a bell jar, struggling to breath and survive. after several suicide attempts, esther moves to a new facility with a new doctor, dr. nolan. she prescribes electro-shock therapy and has esther fitted for a diaphragm, freeing her from fear of sex and its consequences. additionally, her friend joan commits suicide—helping esther fully understand death and the story ends esther heading to an exit interview. hooray, esther kicks ass.
1: i’m interning at a fashion magazine: dress by oscar de la renta, jacket by jason wu, sandals by bottega veneta
2: with dr. nolan: dress by marc by marc jacobs, shoes by ferragamo, bag by celine
3: exit interview: marc jacobs head to toe
This is beyond perfect. Marc Jacobs is, of course, the obvious choice for being “patched, re-treaded, and approved for the road,” (Plath, The Bell Jar, chp. 20). I just found this blog, and I think it’s such a great idea! Literary characters, historical figures, fashion…all of my favourite things in one place!


