The Bell Jar Flashcards Chapter 1-10

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Questions and Answers

Who is the protagonist of the novel?

Esther Greenwood

Describe the setting.

1950s, New York City

Where is Esther working?

For a fashion magazine

Who were the Rosenbergs?

The two people who were electrocuted; they were suspected spies Signup and view all the answers

How does Esther feel about her life?

Depressed Signup and view all the answers

Who is Lenny Shepherd?

Famous DJ who became Doreen's boyfriend Signup and view all the answers

Describe Lenny's apartment.

Inside is just like a ranch Signup and view all the answers

Describe the evening the girls have at Lenny's.

They were drinking, Doreen and Lenny started dancing, and things got out of hand and Esther left Signup and view all the answers

How does Esther get home?

Walked 40 blocks Signup and view all the answers

How does she feel when she arrives home?

Sad and tired Signup and view all the answers

How does Esther wake up?

Doreen beating on the door Signup and view all the answers

How does Esther feel about Doreen?

She thinks she's a bad influence Signup and view all the answers

Why does Doreen choose not to attend the banquet?

She went to Coney Island with Lenny Signup and view all the answers

What does Esther enjoy most about the banquets? Why?

The food; she loves to eat Signup and view all the answers

How does Esther respond when Betsy asks her why she missed the fur show?

Jay Cee called her to go to work Signup and view all the answers

What did Esther realize when she talked with Jay Cee?

She realized she didn't know what she wanted to do in life Signup and view all the answers

What did Esther do when she was supposed to be writing notes in chemistry?

She was writing poems Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mr. Manzi? How does Esther know him?

The college chemistry teacher Signup and view all the answers

Describe Esther's mother.

Bitter; has to take care of herself and Esther Signup and view all the answers

Why do Esther and Betsy leave the movie premiere?

They feel sick Signup and view all the answers

Who is Constantin? What does he ask Esther to do?

Interpreter at UN; go out to dinner Signup and view all the answers

Who is Buddy?

Esther's boyfriend Signup and view all the answers

How has Esther mixed up tipping since she's been in New York?

She'd never been anywhere so she didn't know how to tip Signup and view all the answers

Describe the story Esther reads in one of the books from Ladies' Day.

There was a Jewish mom and nun who picked figs; their hands accidentally touched and the nun never came back Signup and view all the answers

Describe Esther and Buddy's relationship.

He's her boyfriend, but she hates him Signup and view all the answers

What upsets Esther about the childbirth drug Buddy tells her about?

It doesn't relieve the pain; it just makes women forget about it Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happens in Buddy's room.

He takes his clothes off and just stares at her Signup and view all the answers

Why did Esther decide to break up with Buddy?

Because he slept with someone else multiple times Signup and view all the answers

What did Buddy tell Esther before she could break up with him?

He got TB Signup and view all the answers

How do Constantin and Esther feel about Mrs. Willard?

They don't like her Signup and view all the answers

What does Esther realize about her happiness?

She hasn't been happy since her dad died Signup and view all the answers

How does Esther feel about her skill set in comparison to the interpreters at the UN?

She feels inadequate Signup and view all the answers

Who is Eric?

Ex-boyfriend from the South Signup and view all the answers

What happens at Constantin's apartment?

She decides to let Constantin seduce her, but he doesn't Signup and view all the answers

What made her cry as Mr. Willard drove her to visit Buddy?

He said he always wanted a daughter Signup and view all the answers

What did Esther think about Buddy's poem?

She thought it was awful Signup and view all the answers

How does Esther respond to Buddy's proposal? What is Buddy's response? What does this show readers about their relationship?

She says she isn't getting married; he says she is not neurotic and she'll change her mind. He treats her like a child (toxic) Signup and view all the answers

Describe Esther and Buddy's skiing excursion.

Esther broke her leg in 2 places and Buddy is smug about it Signup and view all the answers

How does Hilda feel about the Rosenbergs' execution?

She wants them to die Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the photographer asks Esther to smile?

She cries Signup and view all the answers

Describe Marco.

Tall, South American, woman hater, aggressive Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Esther and Marco go to the club?

He knocks her down and tries to rape her Signup and view all the answers

What does Esther do with her clothes when she gets home?

Throws them into the wind Signup and view all the answers

What is odd about the way Esther looks on the way back to Massachusetts?

She had blood on her face Signup and view all the answers

What does Esther learn when she gets back home that upsets her?

She didn't make the writing program Signup and view all the answers

What does Buddy's letter tell Esther? What does she write back to him?

He fell in love with a nurse, but if she visits he may change his mind; she's engaged to a simultaneous interpreter and doesn't want her kids to have a hypocrite of a father Signup and view all the answers

Why does Esther have trouble writing a novel?

No life experiences Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Esther asks Theresa for more sleeping pills?

She sent her to a psychiatrist Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Protagonist and Setting

Esther Greenwood is the main character navigating her life in 1950s New York City.
Her struggles reflect the societal expectations and pressures of the time.

Work and Relationships

Esther works for a fashion magazine, representing her connection to the glamorous yet superficial world of New York.
She has a tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend Buddy, whom she ultimately decides to break up with due to his infidelity.

Key Events and Emotions

The Rosenbergs, suspected spies, were executed, impacting Esther's views on life and justice.
Esther often feels depressed and disillusioned with her life choices, questioning her happiness since her father's death.
A significant turning point occurs when Esther realizes she feels inadequate compared to accomplished peers, particularly at the UN.

Doreen, a friend of Esther's, is portrayed as a bad influence, leading to conflicts in their relationship.
Esther describes a chaotic evening at Lenny's apartment, noting that after witnessing reckless behavior, she opts to leave early.
Tensions escalate when she experiences a traumatic encounter with Marco, revealing deeper issues of vulnerability and trust.

Personal Growth and Challenges

Throughout the narrative, Esther grapples with her identity and future, struggling to define what she truly wants from life.
Her writing becomes a refuge but also a source of frustration as she feels she lacks substantial life experiences to draw upon.
Experiencing setbacks, like not being accepted into a writing program, drives her further into despair.

Themes of Identity and Agency

The novel portrays Esther's awakening as she seeks to assert her independence while battling external expectations.
Relationships illustrate both empowerment and entrapment, as seen in her interactions with men and friends.
Esther's emotional turmoil culminates in moments of defiance, such as discarding her clothes after a traumatic event, symbolizing her struggle for autonomy.

Final Reflections

Esther's journey explores the intricate balance between societal roles and personal desires, revealing the depths of mental health challenges faced by women in that era.
The narrative highlights the importance of self-discovery amidst societal pressures and the quest for authenticity in the face of adversity.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the first ten chapters of 'The Bell Jar' through these flashcards. This quiz covers key characters, settings, and plot points that define Esther Greenwood's experiences in the novel. Perfect for students wanting to reinforce their understanding of this classic text.