The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is rife with metaphor: a metaphor for death, alienation, losing one's self and then rediscovering that self. The main character, Esther Greenwood, experiences these things directly as she journeys from life as a beautiful young woman in London to death in New York. Esther's experience of depression and suicidal thoughts are direct results of her involvement with popular culture. She identifies completely with the characters in her novels, thinking that they are actually herself. This leads her to lose herself, as well as her sense of reality. She feels that everyone else around her can do no wrong, while she suffers alone through her dark nights of despair. Finally, Esther finds a way out by realising that she is not responsible for what happens to others. She stops trying to fix problems and instead focuses on solving her own issues with therapy and medication. The Bell Jar is a very powerful work of fiction that still speaks to people today. It is an essential read for any student of literature, as well as anyone who has ever felt alone or disconnected from society.