Special Collections > Mortimer Rare Book Collection > Online Exhibits > A Story of Their Own > Plath's Depression
Plath's Depression: Autograph Journal and The Bell Jar
During the summer of 1953, Plath descended into a deep depression. These feelings are honestly described in her college journal: “Loss of perspective humor.” She was treated with poorly administered electroshock therapy at the Valley Head Hospital in Carlisle, Massachusetts: “And now this: shock. Utter nihilistic shock.” Plath felt as if she were being electrocuted and suicide seemed her only escape.
Sylvia Plath. Autograph journal, 1950-1953.
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Similar images appear in The Bell Jar. Plath’s thinly disguised auto-biographical novel begins with the electrocution of the Rosenbergs. The novel recounts the summer Plath served as managing guest editor of Mademoiselle magazine in New York and was later treated for depression at McLean Hospital after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Plath's one-page outline of the novel states: "shock treatment at private mental hospital/windows barred/vow to kill self."
Sylvia
Plath. The Bell Jar: second draft, 1961.  |
Jill Ker
Conway was president of Smith College when Sylvia Plath’s
papers were offered for sale. A great admirer of Plath’s poetry
and prose, Conway facilitated their purchase from the Sylvia Plath
estate in 1981. |
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on this image to open it at full size in a new window |
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Sylvia Plath Collection
Mortimer Rare Book Room, Smith College
