Esther > Rachel

In the previous novel, I found the examination the psychological aspects of the character to be the only real point of interest - as discussed in class, nothing really happened in the novel. In The Bell Jar, however, Plath unfolds the story through series of events, skipping between time periods in Esther's life within the chapters. I find that to be a much more interesting style of writing. The sporadic unfolding of information captures my attention and keeps me curious about the characters. For example, even eighty-some odd pages after the first reference to "Buddy Willard," the reader still only has access to bits and pieces of information to use in order to attempt to string together the story of who he is and what significance he held in Esther's life.

In addition to enjoying the style in which the novel is written, I also really enjoy the character of Esther. Like Kristina, I also found myself able to relate to Esther much better than that of Rachel in A Jest of God. Perhaps it is because the struggles that Esther faces, of finding an identity and purpose for herself, are more on track with the challenges that my age would undergo, and therefore seem more “normal” than similar struggles faced by Rachel abnormally late in life.

The fact that Rachel was a “late bloomer” indicated to readers from the beginning that something was psychologically wrong. With the character of Esther, psychological dilemma is not made apparent in the beginning of the text. She is discovering the same things as Rachel attempted to discover (a sense of self, security in sexual experience, etc.), but in a manner that seems much more conventional (and therefore relatable), yet somehow more intriguing on paper. Needless to say, I am enjoying sitting along for the ride as Esther's little quirks and manner of thinking and acting are revealed as the novel progresses.