The Bell Jar takes place in the late 1950s and focusses on a young woman named Esther Greenwood. The book follows her thoughts and activities as she lives in a world where women are expected to be obediant and innocent and not give in to any urges or interests they may have regarding both sex and careers. Esther slowly descends into suicidal-driven madness as she fights herself and the world trying to figure out who she is a woman and as a person.
* For a more detailed description - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bell_Jar
The Bell Jar has been challenged by many schools as being too graphic with the issues of suicide and sex. There are explicit detailings on the main character's thoughts on sex and love and many have said that rather than proving a point that these actions only demonstrate a character making one bad decision after another. Suicide is a strong theme in the book and has lead to challenges made about glorifying death and escape.
* For more information on the bannings of this book - http://users.owt.com/crbatish/REQUESTS.HTM#The Bell Jar
Do you think that issues such as suicide and sex should be avoided in school material? Is a book like this presenting young, impressionable students with poor ideals, or is opening their minds to the experiences of others?
* 5 points extra credit
No comments:
Post a Comment