The Bell Jar Lesson Plan

Portraits of Madness

Kind of Activity:

Individual Writing

Objective:

Students will examine two works by Sylvia Plath to compare and contrast the author's message and chosen form.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.9

Structure:

In 1953, Mademoiselle magazine published Sylvia Plath's poem Mad Girl's Love Song: A Villanelle. (http://www.neuroticpoets.com/plath/poem/madgirl/). Provide students with a copy of this poem and ask them to complete a written assignment that compares the poem to the novel. Students should compare the pieces in two ways: content and form. Why would Plath approach the subject of personal mental health from these two...