The female mental disorder as a reaction to patriarchal practices in Sylvia Plath’s autobiographical novel the bell jar

Abstract EN

This paper aims at shedding light on the female mental disorder from a positive perspective.

The connections between women's gender, their mental disorder, and their psychological state are scrutinized within a feminist scope since the feminist approach is required in this context.

Indeed, under the umbrella of feminism, women are able to reject oppression and discover their identity.

Moreover, many female autobiographical novels, such as Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, are recognised by the presence of women's mental disorder.

The findings reveal that gender and the patriarchal practices lie at the heart of women's mental disorder, but, fortunately, the latter is considered as a form of rebellion rather than a form of weakness.

Thus, this study emphasizes the fact that madness can lead to the formation of an integrated self and a free space away from the traditional social demands.