Good Morning respected ma'am and my fellow mentees.

Today, I shall
be presenting my seminar paper on the topic: “The Disabled Female
Experience: Dissecting Mental Health Representation Through the Study
of the Characters of Esther Greenwood and Bertha Mason.”

Introduction

Female madness, as one of the techniques for interpretation and

understanding women’s oppression under patriarchy, has preoccupied
the minds of western feminist critics with questions. This is because
madness has been, and today still remains to be considered as a
principal female state. Arguments have been made that madness in
women should also be considered either the consequence of, or a
reaction against oppression. It is quite clear historically, that more
women have been diagnosed with some manner of madness that can
sometimes seem senseless or illogical such as hysteria,
paranoia, schizophrenia and depression. This is so because ‘deviant’
behaviour basically means mental illnesses or conditions which deviate
from the masculine norm. Madness in men was simply ascribed to be a
physical flaw, while madness in women could be demonised as
something unnatural or wicked. Feminist Disability Studies stands as a
critical intersectional perspective, concerned with the delicate
relationship between gender and disability from disabled women’s
uniquely challenging position. The essence of feminist disability studies
is undermining the ideas that
there are notions on how a woman should be or be regarded by gender
and disablement.

In this seminar paper, we shall analyse the disabled female experience

by analysing mental health as “a disability” in relation to a comparative
analysis between Esther Greenwood and Bertha Mason. The study uses
feminist literary analysis and disability studies to analyse the characters’
experiences. It looks at the narrative choices that Plath and Brontë
make, giving us insight into how these representations either reinforce or
question popular conceptions of mental health as a disability. In other
terms, this comparative study helps to illuminate the intricacies of gender
versus mental health against societal backdrop all seen through Esther
Greenwood and Jane Eyre’s eyes. This study aims to shed light on the
representation of disabled female experience wherein critical analysis on
growing mental health and gender narratives should be encouraged.

Textual analysis

Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar gives a heart-wrenching representation of

Esther Greenwood's descent into mental evils. Esther is a young
energetic woman full of fire and passion, fighting against different forms
of pressures – societal, familial as well inner conflicts.
By the skilful writing of Plath, it is possible to see Esther’s inner struggle
with depression, anxiety and identity issues. Esther’s story, which takes
place during the 1950s in America, is a depressing reflection of stigma
surrounding mental illness and its available options for
treatment that women faced back then. The symptoms of Esther’s
mental illness are recorded as a sequence of critical life events and
encounters that aggravate her issues. From her first prestigious
internship in New York City to initial descent into madness and the
subsequent
breakdown followed by institutionalization, Esther journeys through a
world filled with alienation, industrialism, horrendous retreatments and
unreachable love. Plath’s story redefines the conventional notions of a
woman and sanity, depicting how society prods women to
develop themselves based on specific standards.

In comparison with the intimate first-person telling of Esther Greenwood,

Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre renders mental illness an elusive depiction
through the character of Bertha Mason. The first wife of Mr. Rochester,
Bertha is a mysterious figure locked in the attic at Thornfield hall
because she was supposedly mad. Bertha’s image in Brontë’s novel is
full of Gothic connotations, foreshadowing unhappiness and gloom.
Although Bertha is not well- represented in the text, her character can be
seen as an effective symbol of social oppression and consequences that
arise from buried passions. The confinement of Bertha in the attic
portrays the situation to which Victorian-era women were subjected.
Although their narrative contexts and literary styles are different, Esther
Greenwood and Bertha Mason are comparable in terms of the portrayal
of mental illness. Both characters struggle with alienation and despair,
confined in the dark walls of patriarchal norms set by society. Esther’s
odyssey symbolizes the plights of women in mid-twentieth century
America and Bertha is imprisoned as a representation to enumerate how
marginalised people suffered under Victorian England. Still, Esther’s
story provides an opportunity for a more detailed study of her psychiatric
personal journey while Bertha is still mysteriously enigmatic figure
sharing little about herself. This contrast also brings into light the
different ways of portraying mental health issues in literature, as well as
discusses the complications involved with representing female madness
within historical and cultural frameworks. Although the reader can see
much
of Esther’s hardships to sympathize with her, Bertha remains veiled in
vague ambivalence for speculations and analyst. By comparing Esther
Greenwood with Bertha Mason, one can discover more about the
changing representations of mental health in art and its correlation to
gender, race, social norms. Sylvia Plath and Charlotte Brontë undermine
societal conceptions of mental illness through their stories while also
providing trenchant commentaries on how people expect individuals to
behave. This is why Esther’s narrative may be considered a particularly
effective charge against gendered notions and the limited offerings in
women-related treatment that was characteristic of mid-century America.

Thus, the characters of Bertha Mason and Esther Greenwood in Jane

Eyre and The Bell Jar, respectively, offer powerful responses to the
notion that disability is a constraint. Through their narratives, both
authors challenge societal perceptions of madness and mental illness,
advocating for greater understanding, empathy, and acceptance of
individuals marginalized by society. Bertha and Esther's stories serve as
reminders of the resilience, agency, and humanity inherent in all
individuals, regardless of their perceived differences or disabilities. By
exploring the narratives of Bertha and Esther, both authors confront the
prejudices and stereotypes surrounding disability, advocating for greater
understanding and empathy towards marginalized individuals. These
characters serve as powerful reminders of the resilience and agency
inherent in all people, regardless of their perceived differences or
disabilities. Through their struggles and triumphs, Bertha and Esther
showcase the universal humanity that connects us all, fostering a deeper
appreciation for diversity and inclusivity in society.

To conclude with, we can say that:

The gender-specific role expectations and societal pressures expect

women to comply with patriarchal norms and the lack of opportunities
and privileges for women define a set of life events which resulted in
mental illness development. In the interim, Bertha is portrayed as a
woman of Color that adds racial othering and exoticism to her
representation with madness being yet another layer in this complicated
presentation. Race, gender, and class are intersecting issues that affect
the way society treats them or how much resources they can
access to treat their conditions. An intersectional approach to the lived
experiences of Esther and Bertha provides a deeper insight into what it
means to be woman with disability.

Answer

Certainly! The portrayals of Esther Greenwood from Sylvia Plath's "The

Bell Jar" and Bertha Mason from Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre" as
"disabled women" present distinct perspectives and contexts.

Esther Greenwood's portrayal focuses on mental health issues,

depicting her struggles with depression and societal pressures. Plath's
narrative delves into Esther's internal battles, showcasing the stigma and
challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental illness in the 1950s.
On the other hand, Bertha Mason's depiction as a "disabled woman" in
"Jane Eyre" revolves around physical disability, as she is confined to the
attic due to her mental instability. Brontë's portrayal is heavily influenced
by colonial and racial themes, with Bertha being depicted as a
"madwoman in the attic" who embodies the consequences of societal
oppression and patriarchal dominance.

While both characters grapple with disabilities, their narratives offer

different insights into the societal constructs and treatment of women
with disabilities in their respective time periods and contexts.