Major Characters

Esther Greenwood-
She is the protagonist and main character in the novel. The Bell Jar is a coming of age story where Esther goes through phases of depression and confusion. She undergoes madness as she is unhappy (even though she is extremely fortunate) and selfish. She constantly obsesses with her faults and her beliefs; she's confused about what she wants to do with her life. Madness takes over her, and there is absolutely no way to prevent it. Its interesting because she knows she is going crazy, but she is selfish in a way that she wants to commit suicide but fails to take her mother's and friends' feelings into any account whatsoever. She is preoccupied with her self...she could be really successful and happy if she just let herself float down the mainstream of any girl similar to her. She knows she should graduate college, write, and raise a family. The reader never knows why madness takes her over.

Buddy Willard-
Buddy is an example of mainstream america. Hes probably an ideal boyfriend for Esther. He was at one point until she literally swore him off since he lied to her. Esther wanted to be a virgin until marriage, and she thought it was the same for Buddy. However, Buddy turned out to not be "pure" and she was over him. It probably broke her heart, but more importantly it honestly caused her to almost obsess over all of the time she invested in him for ultimately nothing. Buddy's time in the hospital parallels Esthers time in the mental institution...so in a way they are pretty similar. They both seem pretty promising at the beginning but then the readers start to realize how the characters evolve. Esther doesn't accept buddy's way of life and thinks he is cruel and unthoughtful at some times. This is the main reason why it doesn't work out with the two of them. He doesn't inspire her.