The Characterisation of the Heroines in The Bell Jar and Quicksand

2358 Words5 Pages

How does the author's treatment of relationships effect the characterisation

of the heroines in The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and Quicksand by Nella

Larsen?

Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know

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How does the author's treatment of relationships effect the

characterisation of the heroines in "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath and

"Quicksand" by Nella Larsen?

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This essay will compare the ways in which the novels "The Bell Jar" by

Sylvia Plath and "Quicksand" by Nella Larsen deal with relationships,

paying particular attention to how this aids the characterisation of

Esther Greenwood and Helga Crane, the central characters respectively.

It will explore their relationships with other characters in the

novel, especially how the authors use relationships to fulfil their

writing aims. It will also discuss the relationship between the

protagonist and the reader, and how successfully this is achieved

through the novel's language. Finally, it will attempt to compare the

ways in which they relate to the world around them, which is

particularly fascinating as although both novels could pass as

fiction, they are largely autobiographical, raising the question of

why the author's chose to tell their own life stories in this

relatively detached way.

The relationship between the reader and the central character is

directly affected by the style of the narration, and is fundamental in

understanding the author's intentions. "The Bell Jar" is written in

the first person, providing the reader with intimate access to

Esther's every feeling, using past tense and speaking in a reflective,

conversational tone. Although "Quicksand" ...

... middle of paper ...

...oo can be said of "Quicksand", although the effect

on the reader is perhaps not as definitive, as the character is

arguably less rounded, less developed and less realistic as she we do

not delve as deeply into her psyche as we do that of Esther

Greenwood's.

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[1] Plath, Sylvia, The Bell Jar, William Heinemann Limited, 1966, p230

[2] Plath, Sylvia, The Bell Jar, William Heinemann Limited, 1966, p93

[3] Plath, Sylvia, The Bell Jar, William Heinemann Limited, 1966, p93

[4] Plath, Sylvia, The Bell Jar, William Heinemann Limited, 1966, p1-2

[5] Plath, Sylvia, The Bell Jar, William Heinemann Limited, 1966, p76

[6] Larsen, Nella, Quicksand, 1928, Alfred A. Knopf, p8

[7] Larsen, Nella, Quicksand, 1928, Alfred A. Knopf, p43

[8] Larsen, Nella, Quicksand, 1928, Alfred A. Knopf, p64

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