Write a critical note on Confessionalism from your reading of Plath’s The Bell Jar.

Much of the narrative has a confessional tone to it. Consider the theme of sexuality. Many of Esther's problems stem from a conflicted view of female sexuality. Esther is preoccupied with her virginity throughout the novel, separating the world two distinct categories: those who have and who have not had sex. She views sexually permissive women such as Doreen as objects of fascination and often scorn, but nevertheless believes that they hold some secret to life that Esther lacks. Plath relates female sexuality to a sense of empowerment in the novel and finds it to be a key facet of Esther's recovery to greater mental health. It is only when Esther takes control of her own sexuality by being "fitted" (presumably for a diaphragm) that she gains the sense of freedom that has eluded her throughout the novel. Plath contrasts the independent form of sexuality shown by Esther with more conventional and dependent modes; she celebrates Esther's decision to find a man herself over the choice to submit herself to the demands of Buddy Willard merely to gain sexual gratification.