Another interesting book is Ted Hughes’s Crow, which is absolutely unlike any of his other books (in aesthetic, in content, etc.), and which is deeply in conversation with Plath’s poetry precisely because it seems to be speaking the very language of her poetry, and because it puts impicit biography into the context of fable and the visceral. Notably, these were poems Hughes began to write after, and seemingly in reaction to, Plath’s death, and which he stopped writing a few years later at the death of Assia Wevill (and their daughter, Sura). In the context of Plath’s poetry, in general, and Hughes’s Crow, psychic survival depends on saturating the object world with significance and I think that this is what redeemed the world for both poets.

We ended up sitting by the bar and talking about the recent addition to her family, and, being that she’s a Poet, the conversation soon turned to tortured artists and the creative process.

And I was reminded of a video I saw from the TED conference by Elizabeth Gilbert dealing with the subject at hand. So I told her I would share the link with her as soon as I got home.

The video also made me think of all the creative tortured geniuses we have lost to suicide in the 20th & 21st centuries including Sylvia Plath.

Given your interest in Ms. Plath and “The Bell Jar”, and being that you are an artist yourself, I thought you might find the video interesting.

Even after a second viewing, I found it most engaging.

Cheers.

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

The Sylvia Plath Effect: Mental Illness in Eminent Creative Writers, Kaufman, James, The Journal of Creative Behavior, Vol 35, Num. 1, 2001 pgs. 37-50

Abstract:
Although many studies (e.g., Andreasen, 1987; Jamison, 1989; Ludwig, 1995) have demonstrated that creative writers are prone to suffer from mental illness, this relationship has not been truly examined in depth. Is this finding true of all writers? In Study One, 1,629 writers were analyzed for signs of mental illness. Female poets were found to be significantly more likely to suffer from mental illness than female fiction writers or male writers of any type. Study Two extended the analysis to 520 eminent women (poets, fiction writers, non-fiction writers, visual artists, politicians, and actresses), and again found the poets to be significantly more likely to experience mental illness. This early finding has been dubbed “the Sylvia Plath effect,” and implications and possibilities for future research are discussed.

I read that your movie interpretation of The Bell Jar is going to show the positive, more uplifting side of Esther. This is an important factor of the stereotyped depressed person that nothing goes right for them. They do not bring light and joy to the world, only negativity. This negativity has been accepted by society as a fact, leaving most depressed persons shunned from society as outcasts from the social norm.

Suicide statistics show that on average 30,000 people take their life ever year (10 out of 100,000). Interesting to note, in general since 1950 the average number of suicides have decreased. A staggering number considering the very essence of suicide. Is this due to prevention and availability of intervention? I truly hope so. Most depressed people (10% of the population) do not reach the level of suicide (15% of total depressed). Bringing suicide to light, depressed feelings is a positive action. It requires an optimistic approach but it can reach so many lives. Not only affecting the suffering but those around them. Maybe this light can bring balance to the darkness and some level of stability can be found in the mind.

Is depression anger towards inwards? How does depression allow the mind to see different insights to the world than the norm? To be able to reach into the ether and pull out the essence that so many have sought but so few can reach. Does the search for insight require pushing the mind further and further for exploration into the unknown without concern to the stability of mood? Where does it start and end and not lose the soul in the process?

The Bell Jar ends with her entering the room for her interview which would decide whether she was free from the hospital or not. The reader does not find out the outcome of the interview, and the novel ends with the words: “I stepped into the room.” Another interesting point (not sure if your movie will take this on). Are we truly free, will she be able to lift the glass jar again? Her freedom, like all others must be found from within.

I appreciate your delicate insight into the author and your honesty on the subject of mental illness. Your thoughts are compelling and for that I thank you. I look forward to your next post.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!