The Bell Jar: An Act Of Nobility

995 Words4 Pages
Modern society often views the concept of suicide as an act of cowardice and weakness; many think it to be the easy way out of a difficult situation or a permanent solution to a temporary dilemma. The novels The Bell Jar and Mrs. Dalloway demonstrate a far more respectable aspect of the concept of suicide, namely, that it is an escape for those who detest the shallow lifestyle of the Western world. Death provides freedom from a false lifestyle, from the pressure to conform to society's expectations, and the opportunity to preserve one's dignity, made clear by the thoughts, actions and opinions of Clarissa Dalloway, Septimus Warren Smith and Esther Greenwood. The concept of suicide provided the hope of freedom from a false life for Septimus Warren Smith of Mrs. Dalloway and for Esther Greenwood of The Bell Jar. Because of past experiences and discoveries, Septimus recognizes the hollowness of the society of which he is a part and detests the idea of living in the outside world, where there is no capacity for honesty and kindness. He is filled with hatred of the society's blind wealth and questions the legitimacy of everyone and everything surrounding him. His choice to commit suicide provides freedom from the falsity of his surroundings. Unlike Septimus, who had been a part of upper class society all his life, Esther Greenwood of The Bell Jar is given the opportunity to leave her working-class lifestyle and experience life as a upper-class New York socialite. Similar to Septimus, Esther sees through the facade of her posh lifestyle and recognizes the same falsity in New York City's upper-class society. The parties, the clothes, and the overall celebrity treatment are unrealistic and useless to her. Both Septimus and Esther recognize the futility of their situations and decide to take action against them through suicide, which provides them with the ultimate
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