"There ought, I thought, to be a ritual for being born twice--patched, retreaded and approved for the road..."
- Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
Esther Greenwood has been given the opportunity of a lifetime, working in New York as a guest editor of a fashion magazine. She knows that other girls would be envious of her position and success. Everything seems to be going on the right track for Esther, as a successful man is smitten with her, and she is applying for a prestigious writing program. But what is meant to be a life-changing transition into adulthood-- her "coming-of-age"--spirals into a deep depression. Does Esther ruin her own coming-of-age? Does the book conclude with her having one at all?
Throughout her stay in New York, Esther is continually aware of her lack of emotion regarding her current life. While her peers seem excited and passionate, she is frustratingly miserable. On page 3 she says, "I guess I should have been excited the way most of the other girls were, but I couldn't get myself to react..." (Plath). Despite her doubts, she expresses desire to experience New York and the life she had anticipated. However, she is easily influenced by her friend Doreen and spends many nights partying instead of working on her assignments.
Something I found interesting about Esther's journey before her hospitalization is that she experienced all of the stereotypical "coming-of-age" moments, but in a twisted way. For example, she got involved in a relationship in which he proposed, but the whole time she was unsatisfied and feeling trapped. Furthermore, she realizes that his ideals do not match her expectations. This reinforces the idea that Esther is searching for the perfect life, even if she does not know what it is.
Altogether, what was Esther's coming-of-age? I believe that it was actually the process of getting rid of all expectations. Her journey through the inpatient homes represents a "rebirth" rather than a gaining of maturity or knowledge. She even mentions that she gains weight which could be compared to the losing of "baby fat." Overall, her coming-of-age contests the typical representations of growing up, although it might be more relatable to many.
Great post! I never thought about it, but it's really interesting how many of Esther's changes are the opposite of typical signs of growing up or coming of age. Connecting it with the idea of rebirth also makes sense. Part of her coming of age journey is viewing her previous experiences not as a past life (as if they were done by a different person) but viewing them as part of her background.
ReplyDeleteGreat post CJ! This was not at all the typical coming of age story or at least unlike the stereotypical one. However, it seems to be an ultimately complete, but maybe not successful, one as she eventually recovers.
ReplyDeleteYour point of how Esther's coming-of-age experience is the opposite of the "conventional" coming-of-age stories is really interesting. Honestly, I think even in the current world a lot of the coming-of-age experiences of people would be similar to that of Esther's (struggling to fit oneself to the expectations and norms of society and maturing by disregarding those expectations). I mean, where did our idea of a standard coming-of-age even come from? Probably fantasy novels or tales passed down from hundreds of years ago.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree. I think that Esther's coming-of-age wasn't necessarily about becoming a more fulfilled person, but it was rather just a more realistic coming to terms with the way the world is. In that sense, it's still a bit like she's matured and better understands herself and the world. But it's not like the all happy coming-of-age story that we normally see.
ReplyDeleteI definitely see coming-of-age elements in the way that Esther depicts herself as "graduating" from the hospital, having undergone this series of ordeals and trials and emerging more strong and capable than before she entered this parallel universe. The process is not complete--and we're not going to see many definitive moments in this class where a character fully "comes of age"--but I always want to emphasize how this experience has shaped and changed Esther, and that she now feels more self-aware and empowered at the end, along with the valuable insight that she can embrace these experiences not as something shameful but as "part of her landscape." Her mother's "act like it never happened" view would imply a failure to progress, but Esther takes a healthier view.
ReplyDeleteYou put it really well that Esther has the typical coming of age story but it's twisted - I guess part of this is her social class and gender at play because every aspect of her coming of age arc is met with pressure to perform well and not screw up. The hospitalization very much is almost a sped up version of growing up though - the baby fat detail you pointed out really shows this. The treatment lets Esther feel more control over her body and feel empowered and in some sense, take charge of her fate.
ReplyDeletethis is a great way to look at it. When I think about it Esther's coming of age before her depression was almost like she was going through the motions without truly being in the moments ( if that makes sense) she was coming of age from an outsiders point of view but when you look deeper into the picture she was dissatisfied. Her true coming of age happened when/ after her stay at the metal hospital
ReplyDeleteWhen she is released from the asylum it is indeed a restart, but not completely, as she has the knowledge from her "previous life"--perhaps, as she may view it, what not to do.
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