The Bell Jar Quizzes

The Bell Jar Quiz 1

By Jeremy Ross · Last reviewed September 24, 2000

1 What college does Esther Greenwood attend?

Wellesley

Harvard

Smith

She never says which one.
2 Which person is not matched with the correct fictional counterpart in the novel?

Mrs. Plath : Mrs. Greenwood

Sylvia Plath : Esther Greenwood

Helen Gurley Brown : Jay Cee

Olive Higgins Prouty : Philomena Guinea
3 Which of the characters is nicknamed "Pollyanna Cowgirl"?

Doreen

Betsy

Esther

Hilda
4 What contemporary event is a preoccupation for Esther Greenwood?

The Rosenberg case

The Korean war

McCarthy trials

The 1952 presidential election
5 What pseudonym does Esther use when speaking to Lenny and Frankie?

Philomena Guinea

Marjorie Sherwood

Ethel Rosenberg

Elly Higginbottom
6 When is the first time that Esther has eaten out at a proper restaurant?

Dinner with Philomena Guinea

The "Ladies Day" banquet.

Her date with Buddy Willard.

Her date with Constantin.
7 What is the significance of Esther's chemistry course?

It shows how Esther will sacrifice herself for her work.

It shows how Esther often avoids problems instead of facing them.

It shows that Esther cannot handle her priorities.

It shows that Esther is easily manipulated by teachers and other authority figures.
8 What advice does Jay Cee offer to Esther?

She tells her that she needs to take a break from her fast-paced life.

She tells her that she will never make it in New York City.

She tells her to find a more stable career path than poetry.

She tells her to find something so that she can offer more than the run-of-the-mill perosn.
9 A fingerbowl triggers Esther's memory of which character?

Philomena Guinea

Joan Giling

Esther's father

Buddy Willard
10 According to Esther, why is she angry at Buddy Willard?

He dated Joan Giling.

He is a hypocrite.

He slept with a waitress.

He called her a neurotic.
11 What is the significance of the fig tree?

It symbolizes Esther's inability to choose a single path for her future.

It symbolizes Esther's mental illness.

It symbolizes the forbidden love between Esther and Buddy.

It symbolizes Esther's preoccupation with death.
12 Into what two categories does Esther divide people?

People who have had sex and virgins.

People who know what they want and those who do not.

People who believe in God and atheists.

People who are honest to others and hypocrites.
13 Which of the following does Esther not list as a skill that she lacks?

Cooking

Shorthand

Dancing

Driving
14 What gift does Buddy Willard give Esther at the sanatorium?

A bell jar

A diamond stickpin

A book of short stories

An ashtray
15 What reason does Esther give to Buddy Willard for refusing his marriage proposal?

She cannot marry someone who has had an affair.

She does not love him.

She never wants to be married.

She is too neurotic.
16 Which of the following characters does Esther designate a 'woman-hater'?

Constantin

Marco

Cal

Buddy
17 Which of the following is not true about Dodo Conway?

She fascinates Esther.

She is a Catholic.

She spies on Esther.

She has six children.
18 What symptom of her depression worries Esther the most?

Insomnia

Inability to write

Hallucinations

Lack of appetite
19 Which of the following is a possible choice for Esther to do during the summer?

Take a course at Harvard.

Write a novel.

Read "Finnegans Wake."

Work for Jay Cee.
20 Why is Buddy Willard staying in the Adirondacks?

He contracted TB.

His family has a summer home there.

He is doing medical work at a hospital there.

He is a busboy at a hotel.
21 Which of the following methods does Esther not use to attempt suicide?

Jumping out a window

Razor blades

Drowning

Sleeping pills
22 What question does Dr. Gordon ask Esther twice during their sessions?

What college do you attend?

What do you hope to get out of these sessions?

Are you having trouble sleeping?

Do you think about your father very much?
23 What is the reaction of Esther's mother to her refusal to go back for shock treatment?

"I knew you weren't like those people there."

"I never wanted you to have shock treatment in the first place."

"Whatever makes you happy."

"I don't think you're in a position to make decisions for yourself."
24 Why does Esther wish to become a Catholic?

She wants forgiveness.

She wants to believe in something greater than herself.

She appreciates their view on human sexuality.

She believes in the Catholic view of humanity as sinful.
25 According to Esther, what is the kindest way to die?

A bullet in the head

Drowning

Burning

Sleeping pills

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