#30: Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar 
Plath’s protagonist, Esther Greenwood, describes herself as being trapped under a bell jar, struggling to breathe. Her narrative begins with a unique opportunity to travel to New York and work for a prestigious magazine, but fails to feel excitement. Her outlook on life worsens when returns home at the commencement of her internship, and starts to evaluate her options. Esther’s conflicted feelings are partially due to the societal expectations of her. She recognizes the potential of marrying Buddy Willard, but is pushed by her mentors, such as Jay Cee and Philomena Guinea to seek something beyond a marriage and use her talents, but fails to figure out which path she would like to choose. Esther’s struggles are often evocative of Plath’s own, making this novel even more fascinating and heartbreaking. 

#30: Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar 

Plath’s protagonist, Esther Greenwood, describes herself as being trapped under a bell jar, struggling to breathe. Her narrative begins with a unique opportunity to travel to New York and work for a prestigious magazine, but fails to feel excitement. Her outlook on life worsens when returns home at the commencement of her internship, and starts to evaluate her options. Esther’s conflicted feelings are partially due to the societal expectations of her. She recognizes the potential of marrying Buddy Willard, but is pushed by her mentors, such as Jay Cee and Philomena Guinea to seek something beyond a marriage and use her talents, but fails to figure out which path she would like to choose. Esther’s struggles are often evocative of Plath’s own, making this novel even more fascinating and heartbreaking.