The Bell Jar: Comparing the Novel and Film Adaptations
05.22.2023 // By Tome Tailor
Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar is a staple of American literature, an iconic work that has been dissected, studied, and analyzed by readers since its publication in 1963. The semi-autobiographical novel paints a vivid, often harrowing picture of mental illness and the societal expectations that women faced in the 1950s. The story of its protagonist, Esther Greenwood, and her struggle with depression have resonated with generations of readers.
While the novel remains a touchstone of contemporary literature, many readers may not be aware of the two film adaptations based on the novel: one released in 1979 and the other in 2003. In this blog post, we will dive into these adaptations and compare them to Plath’s original work.
The Novel
The Bell Jar (View on Amazon) follows Esther Greenwood, a talented young woman from suburban Massachusetts. She wins a prestigious internship at a New York City fashion magazine, where she initially thrives but soon becomes disenchanted with the glitz and glamour of the city. Instead, she is drawn to darker, more introspective thoughts, which ultimately lead to a worsening depression and a stay at a psychiatric hospital.
The novel is notable for its raw, authentic portrayal of mental illness, as well as its depiction of social expectations placed on women during the 1950s. Esther struggles with her ambition to be a successful writer and the pressure to marry and have a family – a struggle that was all too familiar to women in that era. Additionally, the novel is infused with a dark sense of humor that both lightens and deepens its exploration of these themes.
The 1979 Film Adaptation
The first film adaptation of The Bell Jar, directed by Larry Peerce, was released in 1979 and starred Marilyn Hassett as Esther Greenwood. This version of the film hews closely to the narrative structure of the novel, presenting a chronological progression of Esther’s experiences.
While the 1979 film has its merits, it has been criticized for its sanitized depiction of mental illness. The film never quite captures the raw emotional intensity of Plath’s prose, and the dark humor is lost in translation. Furthermore, some critics argue that the 1979 film oversimplifies the complex social themes explored in the novel.
The 2003 Film Adaptation
The more recent film adaptation, directed by Christine Jeffs and released in 2003, stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Esther Greenwood. This film takes a more modern, stylized approach to the material, presenting the story in a nonlinear fashion, and is more successful in capturing the novel’s dark humor and emotional intensity.
Differences between the novel and the 2003 film include the portrayal of Esther’s relationships with the other characters and certain elements related to the protagonist’s hospital stay, particularly the electroconvulsive therapy scenes. Although some viewers may be put off by the changes, they can be seen as a valid artistic interpretation of Plath’s work.
Conclusion
While both film adaptations of The Bell Jar have their merits, neither can fully capture the raw power of Sylvia Plath’s prose. The novel remains a must-read for its unflinching exploration of mental illness and the societal expectations placed on women in the 1950s.
If you’re interested in experiencing the original source material for yourself, we highly recommend reading or listening to The Bell Jar (Buy on Amazon). Plath’s unique voice shines through in every page, and her words offer insight into the mind of a brilliant, troubled woman navigating a world that often feels stifling and suffocating—an experience that remains profoundly affecting to this day.