I am truly saddened to hear that some people believe “The Bell Jar” is a superior work of art compared to this collection of short stories, dismissing it as “lackluster” and “mediocre.” I firmly believe that people are misinterpreting Plath’s short stories. One must truly delve deep into them to fully understand and appreciate these tales.

Not all of these stories are masterpieces, but some are incredibly unique, unlike any other short stories I have ever encountered. “The Bell Jar” was a decent piece of work, yet there are numerous authors who have surpassed her in the “explicit-depressive-novel” genre (e.g., Fernando Pessoa, Celine (original translation), Sarte, etc.).

Let’s take “Tongues of Stone” as an example. In this story, we follow a young woman with a mental illness who is ultimately institutionalized. We discover her envy for nature: “She envied the green grasshoppers.” Due to her ability to closely observe nature, she becomes aware of one of her limitations as a human—the lack of freedom. Our protagonist’s disposition is: Why live if you are, in fact, like a farce to all these free creatures around you? When our protagonist attempts suicide, she expresses her dissatisfaction with her own nature; her “dumb instinct in her body that fought to go on living.”

Another story I thoroughly enjoy reading is “Superman and Paula Brown’s New Snowsuit,” which I believe has a similar literary impact. However, in this one, she touches on the theme of immortality. Superman was a metaphorical character, like a dreaming, walking America in those years when America was basically Superman, seen as immortal. And she concludes this story powerfully:
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“I lay there alone in bed, feeling the black shadow creeping up the underside of the world like a flood tide. Nothing held, nothing was left. The silver airplanes and the silver capes all dissolved and vanished, wiped away like the crude drawings of a child in colored chalk from the colossal blackboard of the dark.”

“The Wishing Box,” “The Sunday at the Minton’s,” and “Among the Bumblebees” are also among my favorites from Plath’s collection of short stories. I can easily envision Plath on the same short fiction level as Angela Carter, although considering Plath’s short life, this comparison may seem absurd. Ten more years, and it might have been a different story!

Plath展现出了比在《钟形罩》中更丰富的创造力。她甚至自己承认，她不希望那部特定的小说代表她的作品；它并不巧妙，甚至缺乏想象力；它只是存在而已。在她的短篇小说中，她塑造了一些（在某些人看来）不讨人喜欢的角色，并将他们置于自己自私的混乱困境中。从那里，她构建世界并对其进行操控以引发意义。

If you want to read a poet similar to Plath, although not as dense, read Ingrid Jonker. She is so understated (and by the way, she also committed suicide). If you want to read someone who has that intense lyrical severity like Plath, read Sarah Kane’s play 4:48 Psychosis (and by the way, she also committed suicide). If you want to read a memoir that is literary and very intelligent, read Elizabeth Wurtzel’s Prozac Nation. I know it might sound ridiculous to some, but Wurtzel is a very talented woman. Plath's prose is what吸引了我. And these short stories bring out a little bit more of that, especially more than, say, "The Bell Jar" had.

3.25 STARS

As is often the case with any compilation of short stories, some simply didn't resonate with me, while others struck me with an almost bone-deep clarity. Nevertheless, Plath's writing is teeming with poetic lines that draw the reader in. What's more, her own life has such remarkable parallels with mine that I discovered even if a particular story didn't quite connect on an emotional level, it still offered a valuable reading experience.

My personal favorites among her works centered around themes such as the yearning for the ghosts of one's past, the profound and complex nature of death and grief, and the nostalgic portraits of childhood beaches. These themes evoked a sense of longing and reminiscence within me, making me reflect on my own life experiences.

Overall, despite the fact that not every story was a perfect fit for my tastes, I still found great value in reading Plath's collection. Her unique writing style and the deeply felt themes she explored made it a worthwhile endeavor.

Sylvia Plath is a renowned and influential figure in the world of literature. Her works are deeply poignant and often explore themes of mental illness, identity, and the human condition.

Her poem "Je T'aime" is a beautiful and complex piece that showcases her unique writing style and ability to convey powerful emotions.

The title, which means "I love you" in French, immediately sets a tone of intimacy and longing.

In the poem, Plath uses vivid imagery and rich language to describe her feelings of love and desire.

She explores the idea of love as a consuming force that can both bring joy and pain.

The poem is filled with metaphors and symbols that add depth and meaning to her words.

Overall, "Je T'aime" is a masterful work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.

It is a testament to Plath's talent as a writer and her ability to capture the essence of human emotion in her poetry.

Cambridge Notes: From Notebooks, February 1956
What I fear most, I think, is the death of the imagination. When the sky outside is merely pink, and the rooftops merely black; that photographic mind which paradoxically tells the truth, but the worthless truth, about the world. If I sit still and don't do anything, the world goes on beating like a slack drum, without meaning. We must be moving, working, making dreams to run toward.

A Comparison Essay, 1962
I can take about a minute. I'm not talking about epic poems. We all know how they can take. I'm talking about the smallish, unofficial garden-variety poem. How shall I describe it? A door opens, a door shuts. In between you have had a glimpse: a garden, a person, a rainstorm, a dragonfly, a heart, a city. So a poem takes place. And there is really so little room! So little time! The poet becomes an expert packer of suitcases. Also, the door of the novel, like the door of the poem, also shuts. But not so fast, nor with such manic, unanswerable finality.

Context Essay, 1962
My poems do not turn out to be about Hiroshima, but about a child forming itself finger by finger in the dark. They are not about the terrors of mass extinction, but about the bleakness of the moon over a yew tree in a neighboring graveyard. Not about the testaments of tortured Algerians, but about the night thoughts of a tired surgeon. In a sense, these poems are deflections. I do not think they are an escape. For me, the real issues of our times are the issues of every time - the hurt and wonder of loving; making in all its forms - children, loaves of bread, paintings, buildings; and the conversation of life of all people in all places.

This book is a compilation that consists of a collection of short stories, a couple of essays, and certain extracts from Sylvia Plath’s notebooks.

I discovered that the quality of the content within it was rather uneven, which perhaps isn't all that surprising. Personally, I hold the view that the notebook extracts might not have been entirely necessary. However, they did manage to add context for some of the stories and, of course, for her poetry. (There is an entire extract dedicated to beekeeping.)

The common themes are all present here. There is her intense need to write, the ever-looming fear of losing her imagination and consequently the ability to write. Dreams and nightmares also feature prominently, as do death and war (particularly the internment of Germans in the US). The themes of parents and childhood, fitting in, and the expectations for women’s behavior are also explored.

The title story is truly amazing and is clearly the standout. “The Wishing Box” and “The Fifty-ninth Bear” are my next favorite pieces.

Overall, there is some wonderful writing in this book, with vivid imagery that brings the stories to life.

I liked the second story (Snow) less than the first story (Johnny Panic). Sylvia Plath, who struggled with depression throughout her 30-year life and finally ended her life for this reason, was hospitalized several times in the psychiatric ward. The good handling of this story, although its fictional space is limited, is due to this. Some friends who are interested in other works of Sylvia Plath are amazed by reading "The Bell Jar".

It's interesting to note that each of Plath's works seems to carry a piece of her complex and tortured soul. "Snow" might not have had the same impact on me as "Johnny Panic", perhaps because it delved into different aspects of her psyche.

"The Bell Jar" is a renowned work that has left a lasting impression on many readers. It offers a profound exploration of mental illness, identity, and the pressures of society.

Overall, Sylvia Plath's works continue to be studied and admired for their raw honesty and emotional depth.

In the new year, in my opinion, book reviews should be written. I give a brief explanation about a new approach regarding the book. The book is highly recommended to those interested in psychology, especially the part related to dreams. Janie Panic is a kind of godlike personality who has control over the realm of dreams and in an extreme state, she turns into a saint or in other words, a savior for the writer. The second story called "Snow" is very minimal while being challenging and attractive. The book will not take more than 1 hour of your time but the pleasure of reading it will remain with you for days.

This book offers a unique exploration into the world of dreams and the human psyche. The character of Janie Panic is both fascinating and complex, adding depth to the narrative. The story "Snow" presents a different kind of charm with its minimalistic style. Overall, it is a great read that can provide valuable insights and entertainment.

Whether you are a psychology enthusiast or simply looking for an interesting book to pass the time, this one is definitely worth checking out. It has the potential to leave a lasting impression on your mind and make you think about the mysteries of dreams and the human condition.

Sylvia Plath is a remarkable figure whose entire life seems to be intertwined with fiction.

Her works are filled with a unique beauty and a raw intensity that captivates readers.

From her deeply personal poems to her semi-autobiographical novel, "The Bell Jar," Plath explores themes of mental illness, identity, and the search for meaning.

Her writing style is both lyrical and powerful, drawing the reader into her complex and often tortured world.

Despite her relatively short life, Sylvia Plath has left an indelible mark on the literary world, and her works continue to be studied and admired by generations of readers.

There is something truly beautiful about the way she was able to transform her own experiences into art, and her words continue to resonate with us today.

A good book is like a precious gem that can bring joy and inspiration.

This particular book is truly outstanding. It is the perfect choice to pick up during the breaks between classes or in other short gaps of time.

I delved into each and every story and poem within its pages and found myself thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Among all of them, “The Day of Success” stands out as my absolute favorite. It has a unique charm and message that really touched my heart.

This book is a really good read that I would highly recommend to others. In fact, if I could give half stars, I would rate it a 4.5 without hesitation.

It has left a lasting impression on me and I look forward to reading more works like it in the future.

A wide range of stories, from somewhat dull and sometimes abstract ones to those that are tantalizingly mysterious and even astonishing. In each one, Sylvia truly demonstrates her talent for choosing words, and when she does so using an extensive dictionary of synonyms, she does it very effectively. Full of contradictions, sometimes complexes, Plath is as believable in being sentimental as she is in being spiteful. There are many references here to her short life, and in some stories, she even doesn't change the names (her own, her mother's, her brother's). Through writing, she highlights everything that hurts her and that she can't cope with.

She is fascinating. And her story "Snow Blitz" is unforgettable, and I'm now wondering if it was the last one she wrote.

Her works are like a mirror reflecting her inner world, filled with emotions and struggles. Each word seems to be carefully crafted to convey her deepest feelings. Whether it's the description of a mundane scene or the exploration of a complex emotion, Sylvia Plath has the ability to draw the reader in and make them experience it along with her.

Her writing style is unique, a combination of vivid imagery, powerful language, and a deep understanding of human nature. It's no wonder that her stories have had such a lasting impact on readers around the world.

Underrated, dismissed, avoided, ignored. These are all words that signify a lack of sufficient respect. And that's precisely the case with these short stories, which are not respected or appreciated enough.

I have dedicated my studies to these short stories. I examined 4 for my Undergraduate Dissertation and 2 for my Master's Dissertation, and the rest have been a sheer delight to read. In comparison to "The Bell Jar," Plath's short stories are shunned. I firmly believe this is because they are more challenging. Due to their shorter length, her metaphors, double meanings, and subtle remarks are far more difficult to unearth. They demand effort, and that's precisely why I have a penchant for them.

Some of my personal favorites include "The Daughters of Blossom Street," "Ocean 1212-W," "Cambridge Notes," "Sunday at The Mintons," and "Mothers."

Since delving into their study, I have discovered that they align with Plath's mindset to a much greater extent than the grand statements and criticisms of "The Bell Jar." Reading them in conjunction with her journals reveals connections between what she was interested in, reading, writing, studying, and watching at the moment she was penning them. The time periods and subject matter dovetail perfectly. She writes for the moment. Attempting to use "The Bell Jar" as a fixed autobiographical account of her entire life overlooks a great deal of her as a multifaceted character. Some of her short stories are brief, sporadic writings from a childless perspective because she was once a child who loved to play around with color, light, and adjectives. She was not always the Esther Greenwood character that the world has tried to pigeonhole her as. I earnestly hope that future Plath scholars will focus more on her short stories. I would be loath to see them fade into obscurity.

Brilliantly flawed. This is how one could describe Sylvia Plath's short stories. She masterfully crafts raw and conflicting female characters who are deeply infatuated with paralysis and starvation, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. “The daughters of Blossom Street”, “Above the Oxbox”, and, without a doubt, “Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams” are truly incredible works. It's like her brief “Cambridge Notes” attached at the end, adding an extra layer of depth. However, there is one thing that I completely despised. And that is the Ted Hughes introduction. His critique on Plath's prose, labeling it as “weak” and “harmless” simply because it's not “objective enough”, is completely groundless and unbearable. How could he make such a judgment? Plath's writing is anything but weak. It is powerful, emotional, and deeply affecting. Hughes' words seem to undermine the true genius of Plath's work.