THE INTERSECTION OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND CREATIVITY IN THE WORKS OF SYLVIA PLATH, INCLUDING “THE BELL JAR”

Authors

  • Jihad Jaafar Waham Dr., Ministry of Education, The General Directorate of Education in Thi-Qar Governorate, Scientific Research Centre, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejlll.v7i1.443

Keywords:

intersection, mental illness, creativity, Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

Abstract

This paper examines the intersection of mental illness and creativity in the works of Sylvia Plath, particularly her novel "The Bell Jar" and her poetry. Through close analysis of her work, this paper explores how Plath's struggles with mental illness informed her creative process and shaped the themes and imagery present in her writing. Additionally, this paper investigates the ways in which Plath's depiction of mental illness in her writing has influenced popular perceptions of mental health and creativity. Overall, this paper argues that Plath's work offers a unique perspective on the relationship between mental illness and creativity, highlighting the complex interplay between these two facets of human experience. This study aims to explore the intersection of mental illness and creativity in the works of Sylvia Plath, particularly in her novel "The Bell Jar" and her poetry. The objectives are to understand how Plath's mental health struggles influenced her creative process and how her works reflect her personal experiences with mental illness. The methodology used in this study is a qualitative analysis of Plath's literary works and biographical information, including her personal journals and letters. The analysis focused on identifying recurring themes related to mental illness and creativity, such as self-doubt, isolation, and introspection. The findings of this study suggest that Plath's mental illness had a significant impact on her creative process, particularly in her introspective and confessional writing style. Her works depict the complex interplay between creativity and mental illness, portraying the emotional turmoil, and struggles that often accompany artistic expression. Moreover, her works shed light on the stigmatization of mental illness in society and the challenges faced by individuals with mental health issues. Overall, this study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between mental illness and creativity in literature and encourages a more nuanced approach to mental health discussions in society.

Author Biography

  • Jihad Jaafar Waham, Dr., Ministry of Education, The General Directorate of Education in Thi-Qar Governorate, Scientific Research Centre, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
    • BA in English language & Teaching. Department of English. College of Education. Thiqar University, Iraq, 1999;
    • MA in English Literature, College of Arts. BAMU University. India, 2014;
    • PhD in English Literature. Postcolonial English Novel. Faculty of Languages and Communication. UPSI, Malaysia 2021.

     

    Working Experience:

    • Lecturer at the Open Educational College in Thiqar;
    • Lecturer at Qurna College, Department of English, Basrah University, Iraq;
    • Lecturer at Imam Khadim University, Iraq;
    • Lecturer at Imam Sadiq, Department of English, Al-Muthanna;
    • Supervisor of English language in the Directorate of Education in Thiqar;
    • Teacher of English language in Al-Shaab Secondary School, Iraq 2001-2012;
    • Teaching the English language curriculum in middle and secondary schools for a period of 20 years;
    • Managing a large number of seminars and workshops;
    • Working with a number of civil society organizations such as Save the Children and Biladi;
    • Scientific evaluator of a number of researches in English literature submitted for publication to different journals;
    • Scientific and language proofreader of several theses;
    • A member in the editorial board of the International Engineering Journal for Research & Development E-ISSN No: 2349-0721;
    • A reviewer in the International Linguistics Research Ideas Spread INC 229 E 105TH ST New York, NY 10029 United States.

    Google Scolar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8DI5jPcAAAAJ&hl=ar

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-4251-4494

References

Axelrod, S. (2002). Sylvia Plath: The Wound and the Cure of Words. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Carson, J. A. (2017). Sylvia Plath and the Language of Affective States: Written Discourse and the Experience of Depression. Palgrave Macmillan.

Ginger, R. (2013). Sylvia Plath: A Literary Life. Palgrave Macmillan.

Heilman, K. M. (2004). Creativity and mental illness: prevalence rates in writers and their first-degree relatives. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(8), 1504-1505.

Helle, A. (2013). Mental illness and creativity: Sylvia Plath reconsidered. Journal of Literary Studies, 29(2), 81-98. doi:10.1080/02564718.2013.797748

Jamison, K. R. (1993). Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament. New York: Free Press.

Kaufman, J. C., & Sexton, J. D. (2006). Why is creativity difficult to define? In R. J. Sternberg, & J. E. Davidson (Eds.), The nature of creativity: Contemporary psychological perspectives (pp. 231-243). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Plath, S. (2000). The Collected Poems. Harper Perennial Modern Classics.

Rosenblatt, J. (2013). Sylvia Plath: The Bell Jar and Other Works. Routledge.

Rothenberg, A., & Fisher, B. (2002). Hypergraphia and mental disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 159(3), 383-384.

Wagner-Martin, L. (2010). Sylvia Plath: A Literary Life. Palgrave Macmillan.

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Published

2023-05-31

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Articles