Annotated Works Cited and Consulted

Dunkle, Iris Jamahl. "Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar: Understanding Cultural and Historical Context in an Iconic Text." Critical Insights: The Bell Jar.Web. <http://literature.salempress.com/doi/full/10.3331/CIBell_Jar_711531005?prevSearch=the+bell+jar&searchHistoryKey=&queryHash=311b1d1f647bfe6cc1e161a0181d7589>.

The piece “Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar: Understanding Cultural and Historical Context in an Iconic Text” by Iris Jamahl Dunkle is an excerpt from the Critical Insights: The Bell Jar provides an interesting perspective on how the postwar society has a great effect on a woman’s sexuality and sexual behaviour. For example, women were much more encouraged to engage in intimate relationships and wanted to have children. Dunkle explains that “there is nothing psychotic about any of this, and most women who lived through the 1950s [...] attitudes toward virginity and that once freed from this-the virginity itself and her attitude toward it- a woman could be free” (Dunkle). This observation suggests that women felt a tie or a debt to men and the only way to be freed was through sex. This passage is significant as it will aid me though writing my essay because it adds new viewpoint while analysing the sexual affairs that occur throughout the novel. Additionally, by studying Plath and her literature it is evident that “there is [a] particularly stubborn, uncompromising mind of [Plath] represented in Esther’s psyche”(Dunkle). This is crucial to consider through the writing process because if there are biographical components shown through Esther, it will help me to better understand the author’s neurosis in addition to the character’s which will make for an interesting paper.

Farland, Maria. "Sylvia Plath's Anti Psychiatry." Critical Insights: The Bell Jar (2002). n. page. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://literature.salempress.com/doi/full/10.3331/CIBell_Jar_711531013?prevSearch=the+bell+jar&searchHistoryKey=&queryHash=21a3b10a1315daa01ff1d99e0008bdbc>.

“Syvia Plath’s Anti Psychiatry” is an excerpt from Critical Insights: The Bell Jar written by Maria Farland. This piece explains how Plath’s work criticises the consensus culture of the 1950s. After the Great Depression, the protagonist of the novel, Esther found work at a big New York magazine and this dramatic lifestyle change horrifies, as a result “madness emerges as a kind of liberation from social imperatives, particularly the restrictions that society imposes on middle-class women” (Farland). Farland’s observation is significant to consider through writing because it suggests an important theme that neurosis develops as a result of being unaccepting to the way that society functions. However, it was not only the drastic societal change that had driven Esther to insanity; the role of the men in her life also played a big role in her depression. During the 1950s, women commonly married at a young age and Esther was constant being set on dates so that she could settle down, however she refused to follow the social norm. Farland observes that “she had not fully defined the sense of injustice that paralyzed her when she looked at male-female relationships. However, she felt it. She was pulled and repelled by the image that was being sold” (Farland). Commitment to a man scared Esther and so it is probable that a patriarchal society is what resulted in her suicidal tendencies, another central idea to ponder during the writing process. Therefore Farland’s work is essential because it will assist in the development of new interesting themes and opinions.

McCann, Janet. "On the Bell Jar." Critical Insights: The Bell Jar. n. page. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://literature.salempress.com/doi/full/10.3331/CIBell_Jar_711531001?prevSearch=the+bell+jar&searchHistoryKey=&queryHash=102fcb63bce91febbfbebfa176ec513f>.

The essay “On the Bell Jar” by Janet McCann explains how Plath’s work was in fact biographical, with some fictitious story line added. McCann’s piece addresses all of the similar events between Plath’s and Esther’s lives; there are indeed parallels between the two of them. The neurosis or psychosis in this case, of the author is very important to evaluate when psychoanalysing a work because it gives a greater insight to the behaviour of the characters. In The Bell Jar, Esther is “unable to change and grow, she cannot accommodate the challenges to her sense of selfhood, instead of developing new skills, she loses her old” (McCann). This gives readers a better insight into her character because we realize that Esther’s ability to grow as a character has been stunted because Plath herself has development issues. This is an interesting perspective when analysing and writing about Plath’s work because as an author, Plath is displacing all of her own emotions through her writing. Readers observe that Esther’s life is Plath’s life “as she saw it, up until her recovery from the illness that led to her suicide attempt. It therefore inevitably brings what we know of her to Esther” (McCann). This appealing remark will aid me to come to fascinating conclusions, for example the conclusion of Esther’s story is Plath’s suicide. By studying the author in addition to the character, significance is added because it is such a personal work that will aid throughout the writing process.

Whitfield, Stephen J. "Cherished and Cursed: Toward a History of The Catcher in the Rye." Critical Insights: The Catcher in the Rye. n. page. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://literature.salempress.com/doi/full/10.3331/CICatcher_Rye_711541014?prevSearch=franny+and+zooey&searchHistoryKey=&queryHash=8f297a6c309619f0fbf8ce512a81f036>.

The novel Franny and Zooey was a spin off work of Salinger’s more famous book The Catcher in the Rye, and so this “Critical Insights” piece by Stephen J. Whitfield was helpful to help better understand Salinger’s writing style and the purpose of his writing. This piece discusses how the society of the time, the 1950s, played a role in the psychological health of the characters, specifically Franny. Whitfield observes that “introversion, perhaps, has been forced upon history [...] rather than the other way around” (Whitfield). Franny constantly isolates herself from her family and friends, being alienated and alone over time will definitely result in neurosis. When constantly being alone, one becomes accustomed to the independence and so they become anxious in social situations. However, the whole idea of conformity and being a small part of a something bigger, like a community panics Franny. Therefore instead of trying to reintegrate back into society, Franny only continues to alienate herself even further. Furthermore, the socially analysing this era, Whitfield describes Franny as being a “misfit in society because she refuses to adjust” (Whitfield). The lack of individuality is what drives Franny’s insanity and neurotic behaviour; Whitfield’s unique observations will be an excellent addition in the writing of my essay.

Updike, John. "Franny and Zooey by JD Salinger." New York Times. (1961): Web. <http://www.nytimes.com/1961/09/17/books/updike-by-salinger.html?_r=0>.

This New York Times newspaper article was written as a review when Franny and Zooey was first published, however it also provides excellent insight as to why spirituality and religion was an important practice during this era and its importance to one’s mental health. Throughout the novel, Franny is in a downward spiral, with constant suicidal thoughts, however Updike states that throughout his reading “[he was] very hopeful [...] and Salinger’s work dawned as something of a revelation” (Updike). Franny had studied various religions both Eastern and Western, as she did not want to have to conform to one without being educated about others. Updike proposes the idea that her curiosity to learn different religions was the cause of her neurosis because during this time period and where they lived in Southern USA, Christianity was the most popular of religious practices. Updike’s theory is that God is punishing Franny for pursuing other religions; however he remains hopeful that Franny will once more find God. This theory of religion is not too helpful in my essay writing as my writing will focus more on the psychological development rather than spiritual, however it is an interesting topic that can be incorporated to some extent.

Gehlawat, Monika. "Desperately Seeking Singularity in Franny and Zooey." (2011): n.pag. EBSCO. Web. 27 Nov 2013. <http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10436928.2011.546687

This academic journal is written by Monika Gehlawat, a professor of English at the University of Southern Mississippi, she has studied many types of literature but took particular interest in Salinger’s work. Gehlawat “prais[es] the novel’s sharp and uncanny descriptions [of] good examples defamiliarization, the most important technical device of realism” (Gehlawat). Her analysis of Salinger’s work is that in order to fully understand the characters in a novel, you have to completely forget what you know and completely put yourself in the shoes of the individual. While reading, you cannot think of religion or personal experiences, you must be one with the character. Reading through this lens allows one to “experience [an] author’s [work with] a sense of deep division in trying to meet cultural expectations” (Gehlawat). This work was not very useful towards insightful research as it mostly talked about understanding the novel rather than critically analysing it. It did show me a new perspective and appreciation for the novel; however it was not helpful with the development of any new ideas or of significant use.