- "I felt very low." (29)
This is one of the countless examples of a telegraphic sentence in The Bell Jar. Throughout the first half of the book, the main, distinguishable paragraphs are separated by a telegraphic sentence meant to enhance or finish off the main point in the previous paragraph and transition into the next. In this particular sentence, Plath is outrightly stating the condition that Esther is experiencing, and thoroughly proves to stand out on the page, amongst more lengthy sentences.
- "I'd adored him from a distance for five years before he even looked at me, and then there was a beautiful time when I still adored him and he started looking at me, and just as he was looking at me more and more I discovered what an awful hypocrite he was, and now he wanted me to marry him and I hated his guts." (54)
This long and blatant run-on sentence is effective in the novel because it reflects the thought process of the main character. Although there are a plethora of telegraphic and short sentences throughout the story to break up the flow of each paragraph, the long sentences in the book extensively convey the true plethora of emotion and directional thoughts of Esther. This sentence conveys the incoherent nature of the main character because contradicts herself throughout the whole sentence.
- "I couldn't help myself, I burst out laughing-maybe because of the seriousness of Buddy's face and the common meaning of the word 'crazy' in a sentence like that." (239)
Another more frequent syntax choice of Plath's is the arrangement of interrupted order sentences. This sentence structure mirrors the main character's thought process as well, in that it expresses the desire or necessity to add onto the main point of the sentence, or to explain the main point of the sentence to the reader. This sentence is an example of a description of the situation-which is awkward and childlike, just like Esther or Sylivia Plath. Interrupted order sentences aide in qualifying or further polishing an argument or point addressed in the novel.
In this book, the author employs a large variety of sentence structure, which I think you acknowledged well. Plath utilizes short, telegraphic statements, long run-on sentences, and interrupted thoughts, to help characterize each of the individuals and give insight into the setting in which the story takes place and imagery used to describe it. The terse statements, for instance, are generally utilized in Esther’s thoughts and interior monologue. Overall, good job on analyzing the different types of sentences and their effect on the storyline.
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