
Okay, I understand the hype. This book is a deserved classic, that captures its era in a way only a few books can. It explores the ideas of individuality, feminism, mental health, meaning and purpose of one’s life in just over 200 pages.
The first half of the book shows the protagonist (Esther Greenwood) living her life in New York City having autonomy and enjoying freedom for the first time, while the latter half focuses on her inner turmoil and declining mental health.
Now, while reading the first part of the book it made me realise that I have never had an original thought ever because Plath brings to paper emotions that everyone tasting freedom for the first time experiences. Or maybe I am just too emo :P
The second half is another beast itself, that’s where the book gets less about Esther’s young adult ennui and more about the mental health institutions at that time.
Although the book majorly consists of Greenwood’s inner monologues, the readers never really gets to know what exactly is the reason that leads to her breakdown. It appears that Plath has made a conscious choice to describe the state of women in the society, failing mental health institutions and obviously the societal perception of mental illness. I will probably read this book again as I think that there is still some commentary that I might have missed.
Okay, I understand the hype. This book is a deserved classic, that captures its era in a way only a few books can. It explores the ideas of individuality, feminism, mental health, meaning and purpose of one’s life in just over 200 pages.
The first half of the book shows the protagonist (Esther Greenwood) living her life in New York City having autonomy and enjoying freedom for the first time, while the latter half focuses on her inner turmoil and declining mental health.
Now, while reading the first part of the book it made me realise that I have never had an original thought ever because Plath brings to paper emotions that everyone tasting freedom for the first time experiences. Or maybe I am just too emo :P
The second half is another beast itself, that’s where the book gets less about Esther’s young adult ennui and more about the mental health institutions at that time.
Although the book majorly consists of Greenwood’s inner monologues, the readers never really gets to know what exactly is the reason that leads to her breakdown. It appears that Plath has made a conscious choice to describe the state of women in the society, failing mental health institutions and obviously the societal perception of mental illness. I will probably read this book again as I think that there is still some commentary that I might have missed.