Sylvia_Plath’s_Dr._Nolan__an_Analysis_Based_on_Erikson’s_Psychological_Developmental_Stages_Model

Sylvia Plath’s Dr. Nolan: An Analysis based on Erikson’s Psychological Developmental Stages model In the Novel, The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath introduces Esther Greenwood as an intelligent young woman who is institutionalized for mental illness in 1950’s America. The root of Esther’s mental decline is an identity crisis, and her improvement following institutionalization is because her psychiatrist, Dr. Nolan, assists her through a psychological developmental stage that she was unable to complete in her teen years. Esther’s challenges can be framed in the context of Erik Erikson’s “Stages of Psychological Development” (Erikson, 290-292). Dr. Nolan, a female psychiatrist is a role model with whom Esther can relate and feel loved. Dr. Nolan helps Esther resolve inner conflicts that have hindered the development of a cohesive identity. Erikson states that youth age 12 to 18 experiences a crisis of “identity versus role confusion” (Erikson, 290-292). During her adolescence Esther should have been establishing both her occupational and social identity by interacting with peers and role models. According to Erikson, the questions Esther should have resolved during the stage are ‘who am I'’ and ‘what can I become’' Erikson claims that a youth’s identity needs to develop sufficiently in order for her to be develop intimacy skills in her early twenties (Erikson, 290-292).. However, as an intelligent, independent teenage girl in 1950s America, Esther lacked role models or peers with whom she could relate. Her identity became “a girl with fifteen years of straight A's” (Plath, 68). Esther’s shaky identity is challenged when she moves to New York and discovers that a college transcript sense of self of little use outside school. Socially with the other interns and occupationally at Lady’s Day Magazine, Esther confronts 1950s values that conflict with whom she seems to be and what she would like to become. Esther lives in a hotel with fellow female interns and their association draws Esther into a subsequent stage of development she is ill prepared to explore. According to Erikson, beginning at 19 the individual begins the stage of “intimacy versus isolation” where relationships with friends and partners dominate development. The central question the individual is trying to answer at this stage is ‘can I love’' When Esther meets Dr. Nolan, she has not only isolated herself, but her mental health has deteriorated such that she is dissociated from reality. Instead of pursing intimacy like her normally developed peers, Esther is obsessed with losing her virginity. Central to her mental deterioration is her fragmented identity that itself was caused by the lack of female-role models and peers during her adolescence. Another symptom of Esther’s lack of identity is her chronic criticism of others. This is an adolescent mechanism that Esther employs to remind her of what she does not want to become. During her internship, Esther attempts to gain identity by seeking the fellowship of other non-conformists whom she admires initially. However upon familiarization, Esther finds that characteristics she admired in a peer or potential role model seem to accompany other elements of their personality that repulse Esther. For example, Esther’s desire admires Doreen’s sexually forward and nonchalant manner with men, but Esther believes Doreen’s lifestyle will likely lead to pregnancy. Esther does not want children or marriage so her desire to experiment sexually is frustrated by her fear of pregnancy. Disenchanted with potential peers and role models, Esther isolates herself further until she seems unable to benefit from any relationship. Eventually Esther is unable to visualize any future course for herself where she could be happy. Esther can relate to Dr. Nolan’s identity because the components of it that are important to Esther do not seem to conflict with each other. The doctor corrects Ester’s birth control misperceptions. Her sexual exchange with Irwin affirms her identity, shows Esther that she can be sexually active without inner conflict, and allows her to realize that sex itself is not transformative. As Esther’s identity solidifies, she begins Erikson’s next phase of development by forming a shared intimacy with others at the asylum. Dr. Nolan helps Esther become empathic toward peers whose sexual activity Esther has previously criticized. She is less threatened by Joan’s lesbian activities. She is able to forgive Buddy’s feigned sexual innocence. It is fortunate that Esther had the opportunity to feel let down by Dr. Nolan. From Esther’s perspective, her psychiatrist broke her promise by not warning Esther of the upcoming electrotherapy. Inasmuch as Dr. Nolan was the most important person in Esther’s life, the mistake helps Esther to realize that mistakes do not need to cause a termination of relationship. Dr. Nolan’s guidance and example begin Esther on the path to becoming a successful female professional who possesses a strong sense of identity, maturity and the basis to begin her third decade forming meaningful relationships of with friends and partners. Works Cited Erikson, Erik H. Childhood and Society New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company, 1930. Print. Erikson, Erik H. (1966). Eight ages of man. International Journal of Psychiatry, 2(3), 281-300. Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar London: Faber, 1963. Print.