The Bell Jar Quizzes

The Bell Jar Quiz 1

By Jeremy Ross · Last reviewed September 24, 2000

1 What college does Esther Greenwood attend?

Smith

Wellesley

Harvard

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

Olive Higgins Prouty : Philomena Guinea

Helen Gurley Brown : Jay Cee

Sylvia Plath : Esther Greenwood

Mrs. Plath : Mrs. Greenwood
3 Which of the characters is nicknamed "Pollyanna Cowgirl"?

Doreen

Betsy

Hilda

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

McCarthy trials

The Korean war

The 1952 presidential election

The Rosenberg case
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?

The "Ladies Day" banquet.

Dinner with Philomena Guinea

Her date with Constantin.

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

It shows that Esther is easily manipulated by teachers and other authority figures.

It shows that Esther cannot handle her priorities.

It shows how Esther will sacrifice herself for her work.

It shows how Esther often avoids problems instead of facing them.
8 What advice does Jay Cee offer to Esther?

She tells her to find something so that she can offer more than the run-of-the-mill perosn.

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

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.
9 A fingerbowl triggers Esther's memory of which character?

Esther's father

Buddy Willard

Philomena Guinea

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

He dated Joan Giling.

He slept with a waitress.

He called her a neurotic.

He is a hypocrite.
11 What is the significance of the fig tree?

It symbolizes the forbidden love between Esther and Buddy.

It symbolizes Esther's preoccupation with death.

It symbolizes Esther's mental illness.

It symbolizes Esther's inability to choose a single path for her future.
12 Into what two categories does Esther divide people?

People who are honest to others and hypocrites.

People who believe in God and atheists.

People who have had sex and virgins.

People who know what they want and those who do not.
13 Which of the following does Esther not list as a skill that she lacks?

Cooking

Shorthand

Driving

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

A diamond stickpin

An ashtray

A book of short stories

A bell jar
15 What reason does Esther give to Buddy Willard for refusing his marriage proposal?

She never wants to be married.

She does not love him.

She cannot marry someone who has had an affair.

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

Cal

Marco

Buddy

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

She has six children.

She fascinates Esther.

She spies on Esther.

She is a Catholic.
18 What symptom of her depression worries Esther the most?

Lack of appetite

Hallucinations

Insomnia

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

Take a course at Harvard.

Work for Jay Cee.

Read "Finnegans Wake."

Write a novel.
20 Why is Buddy Willard staying in the Adirondacks?

His family has a summer home there.

He is a busboy at a hotel.

He contracted TB.

He is doing medical work at a hospital there.
21 Which of the following methods does Esther not use to attempt suicide?

Jumping out a window

Drowning

Razor blades

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?

Do you think about your father very much?

Are you having trouble sleeping?
23 What is the reaction of Esther's mother to her refusal to go back for shock treatment?

"Whatever makes you happy."

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

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

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

She believes in the Catholic view of humanity as sinful.

She wants to believe in something greater than herself.

She wants forgiveness.

She appreciates their view on human sexuality.
25 According to Esther, what is the kindest way to die?

Burning

Drowning

A bullet in the head

Sleeping pills

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