Until our last class discussion, I had no doubt that Esther was crazy and annoying. However, after thinking about it a bit and discussing the meaning of the bell jar I have begun to not only sympathize with her but understand her. At first, I thought that Esther was the one trapped in the bell jar. However, when I try and get into her mind, I find myself agreeing with an earlier post that viewed society as the one that is trapped. I would agree that Rachel could be seen as trapped, however Esther doesn’t restrict herself from progressing like Rachel did in her own thoughts. Instead, her problem lies in the realization and exaggeration of societal “norms”. Therefore, I think that Plath means for society to be exploited as this overpowering superficial force that has the ability to destroy someone as it does her. There are many instances in the book in which the reader feels the external forces Esther faces all attempting to “fix” her. Esther continually refuses this shift into “normality” especially in the psych ward. She plays with people and even tries to make them think she is more sick than she really is. This is why I see society as being trapped in this bell jar. Society is trapped into refusing difference and only accepting more of the same. I believe Esther becoming crazy symbolizes her frustration with society as she attempts to scream at it. Maybe Plath’s eventual suicide is a result of her feeling like it never heard that scream.