An Exploration into Negative Impacts of Gender Roles on Female Mental Health
Research Question: How does Sylvia Plath illustrate the negative effects of gender roles on
female mental health in her novel, The Bell Jar?
Subject: Studies in Language and Literature
Category 1 (Literary)
Word Count: 3934
hwc186
,Table of Contents
1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………… 2
2. Mrs. Greenwood ………………………………………………………………………… 4
a. Comparison with Dr. Nolan ………………………………………………….….. 5
b. The Bell Jar Symbol …………………………………………………………....... 6
3. Buddy Willard …………………………………………………………………….……... 7
a. Comparison with Constantin ………………………………………………….... 8
b. Arrows Metaphor and the Fig Tree Symbol …………………………………….. 9
4. Esther Greenwood …………………………………………………………………….... 10
a. Comparison with Joan Gillings ……………………………………………….... 11
b. Mirrors Symbol ……………………………………………………………….... 13
5. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………... 14
6. Works Cited …………………………...……………………………………………….. 16
1
, Introduction
Throughout history, our families and our society pressure us to fit into a specific gender
stereotype, negatively impacting our mental health. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath explores
depression and anxiety, caused by gender roles that are forced upon females. Sylvia Plath
explores her melancholy throughout her novel which raises the question “How?”. How does
Sylvia Plath illustrate the negative effects of gender roles on female mental health throughout her
novel, The Bell Jar?
Sylvia Plath is an admired poet who tackles her journey with depression through writing.
There are many factors that affected Plath’s depression such as “the difficult relationship she had
with her mother, Aurelia; as well as the pressure and expectations Aurelia placed on her . . . and
an unconfirmed sexual assault in New York City” (Silverman). Sylvia Plath received shock
therapy, but unfortunately it was “without the benefit of anesthesia, muscle relaxants, or
emergency equipment” (Lebensohn). Because of people surrounding Plath and the medical field,
she was held down by the idea of femininity. In The Feminine Mystique study, Betty Friedan
uncovered how the idea of femininity meant that women could find satisfaction only in sexual
detachment, male mastery, and maternity; it denied their avocation or any dedication outside the
home and limited women’s reality to the home (Fava). The “Ideal Woman” image sent the
message to women on how they should behave properly to their gender roles. As a result, to their
disfavor, women shaped their personas around this image, and they still continue to do so today.
2
Research Question: How does Sylvia Plath illustrate the negative effects of gender roles on
female mental health in her novel, The Bell Jar?
Subject: Studies in Language and Literature
Category 1 (Literary)
Word Count: 3934
hwc186
,Table of Contents
1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………… 2
2. Mrs. Greenwood ………………………………………………………………………… 4
a. Comparison with Dr. Nolan ………………………………………………….….. 5
b. The Bell Jar Symbol …………………………………………………………....... 6
3. Buddy Willard …………………………………………………………………….……... 7
a. Comparison with Constantin ………………………………………………….... 8
b. Arrows Metaphor and the Fig Tree Symbol …………………………………….. 9
4. Esther Greenwood …………………………………………………………………….... 10
a. Comparison with Joan Gillings ……………………………………………….... 11
b. Mirrors Symbol ……………………………………………………………….... 13
5. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………... 14
6. Works Cited …………………………...……………………………………………….. 16
1
, Introduction
Throughout history, our families and our society pressure us to fit into a specific gender
stereotype, negatively impacting our mental health. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath explores
depression and anxiety, caused by gender roles that are forced upon females. Sylvia Plath
explores her melancholy throughout her novel which raises the question “How?”. How does
Sylvia Plath illustrate the negative effects of gender roles on female mental health throughout her
novel, The Bell Jar?
Sylvia Plath is an admired poet who tackles her journey with depression through writing.
There are many factors that affected Plath’s depression such as “the difficult relationship she had
with her mother, Aurelia; as well as the pressure and expectations Aurelia placed on her . . . and
an unconfirmed sexual assault in New York City” (Silverman). Sylvia Plath received shock
therapy, but unfortunately it was “without the benefit of anesthesia, muscle relaxants, or
emergency equipment” (Lebensohn). Because of people surrounding Plath and the medical field,
she was held down by the idea of femininity. In The Feminine Mystique study, Betty Friedan
uncovered how the idea of femininity meant that women could find satisfaction only in sexual
detachment, male mastery, and maternity; it denied their avocation or any dedication outside the
home and limited women’s reality to the home (Fava). The “Ideal Woman” image sent the
message to women on how they should behave properly to their gender roles. As a result, to their
disfavor, women shaped their personas around this image, and they still continue to do so today.
2
