Death In The Bell Jar And A Streetcar Named Desire

Explore the presentation of death in ‘The Bell Jar’ by Sylvia Plath, Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams.

Death is an event and theme, which is at the centre of the plots of all three texts. It is more than apparent that there is a morbid fascination with death in the plays and novel. Death plays an integral part in the stories in initiating and shaping the plots as well as forming and explaining the characters which feature in the stories. In the Bell Jar and Hamlet, the main characters, Esther and Hamlet, see ending their lives as an escape that they contemplate to resolve inner and even external conflicts as it is the only thing that doesn’t disappoint them. This forms a vicious, morbid cycle in their

On top of this the audience is made aware of other deaths that Blanche has had to deal with in her family. Instead of seeking out death, it seems to be unavoidable to the protagonist Blanche. The death of her late husband Alan has had a lasting impact on her character and has heavily influenced her actions. She finds death difficult to cope with and deals with it in ways that are perceived as socially unacceptable; such as her promiscuous nature, her flamboyancy as well as her excessive drinking habits. This inevitably leads to her downfall into insanity. This is why death has a significant impact on the rest of the plot. Happiness for Blanche seems superficial and hopeless. At the end of the play a little hope can be interpreted from the freedom of leaving her past and the judgement she has faced to get help from a

Esther manifests her obsession and familiarity with death through her suicide attempts by her the imagery and motifs that are used and symbolise death in the Bell Jar. Whilst it could be assumed that her fascination stems from a longing to be with her father who died prematurely, her actions which follow this event shows that she is comfortable with mortality. The way Esther throws herself accross her fathers grave in the cemetary not only shows how at ease she is in this environment (or with death in general) but also her ability to open up emotionally in thèse surroundings show how relaxed she is whilst most presented with death and cemetaries where someone would normally feel uneasy. Esther tries to take out the dead flowers from the patient’s room but they complain. This could be symbolic to show that either people do not like sudden changes and not being in control, or that they are attached to things and people despite the fact they no longer live. This could symbolise Esthers relationship with her father. Esther also manifests her obsession with death through her suicide attempts. Her own suicide attempts seem to come about from curiosity like when she chooses to slit her wrists in a bath tub because it appealed to her. She doesn’t find any interest in life and watches the birth of a child with no admiration. She is frustrated and