Written in 1961 and published in the United States a decade later, The Bell Jar written by Sylvia Plath has become a classic of American literature found in school classrooms high schools and universities and throughout popular culture. Having sold over two million copies since its publication (Dunkle), this novel tells "the timeless story of a young woman's struggle to pursue her own ambitions while negotiating the expectations of the conforming culture in which she grew up." (Satterfield) Its success can be attributed to the ease with which young women relate to the themes present in this novel. Even though life nowadays is very different from that of the 1950s, when this novel is set, the problems faced still resonate unresolved in the hearts of many young women. By analyzing the text, you will discover that women of modern times have been struggling with the search for a sense of identity, meeting society's expectations and realizing their dreams. Before diving into the novel itself, you need to have a strong mental image of the mind behind this creation. Sylvia Plath was the first daughter of Aurelia and Otto Plath. His father was 21 years older than his mother and was an internationally recognized professor. Sadly she died when Plath was only eight years old due to undiagnosed diabetes which no doubt had an effect on young Plath's childhood. After completing high school, Plath was awarded a scholarship to study English at Smith College and it was here that her work was recognized by major magazines such as Seventeen and Mademoiselle. After graduating from Smith College with honors, she began working for Mademoiselle in Manhattan, New York. This is the point where the novel begins to reflect his life. Sylvia Pla......middle of paper......nce Center. Network. April 28, 2014. Friedan, Betty. The feminine mystique. New York: W. W. Norton, 1963. Print.Perloff, Marjorie G. ""The Bell Jar" chronicles a girl's search for identity."Depression in Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. Ed. Dedria Bryfonski. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2012. 92-99. Print.Plath, Sylvia. and Lois Ames. The bell jar. Cutchogue, New York: Buccaneer Books, 1971.Print.Satterfield, Jane.“Biography of Sylvia Plath.” Critical insights: The Bell Jar (2011): 22-30. Literary reference center. Network. March 28, 2014.Séllei, Nóra. "The Fig Tree and the Black Patent Shoes: The Body and Its Representation in Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar." Critical Insights: The Bell Jar (2011): 346-382. Literary reference center. Network. March 29, 2014.Young, Nancy K. “Everyday Youth, World of Youth.” The 1950s. By William H. Young.Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2004. 3-36. Press.