Artistic works, including books, tend to reflect their creator. Sylvia Plath wrote The Bell Jar shortly before committing suicide. A semi-autobiographical work, many real events have been included with names and locations changed, although thinly veiled to those who knew her. Published after her death amid much controversy, the novel follows Esther Greenwood through her depression, suicide attempt, and struggle to recover. Although many actual physical events appear in the book, clearly other internal factors influencing Mrs. Plath during her final days are depicted through the thoughts and feelings of her protagonist. The Bell Jar provides an accurate portrait of its author's environment and internal struggle in her final days. SylviaShe separated from her husband in 1962 after a difficult summer.11 By chance, she had the opportunity to live in the apartment where Yates lived, moving herself and the children a few days before Christmas. 12 The Bell Jar, published in England in January 1963, received mixed reviews. This distressed her even as she wrote poem after poem.15 Poetry collections comprise the majority of her written works, including Ariel, The Colossus, Crossing the Water, Winter Trees, and The Collected Poems. The collection of poems posthumously won the Pulitzer Prize.2 Once again suffering from severe depression, she saw a psychiatrist and received a prescription for medication. However, on February 11, 1963, she killed herself at the age of The Bell Jar is about the mental breakdown and gradual recovery of Esther Greenwood, a young college student in the late 1950s. The book begins in New York City, where she has a temporary job at the fashion magazine following winning a writing contest.2 This is obviously related to the life of the author herself, as she experienced a similar event.5 The The author never denied the autobiographical nature of the work.12 Both women lost their fathers at an early age. The suicide attempts are obviously similar.3, number, number Other examples of autobiographical fiction appear throughout the book. The most interesting similarities, however, exist between Sylvia and Esther's emotional conditions. To illustrate these parallels, it is necessary to examine the evidence for depression in both