Doctor Nolan vs. Doctor Gordon

             While reading the last few chapters of The Bell Jar I didn’t really see the importance of Doctor Nolan. But when we discussed her role in class, it became clear how important she was. We spoke in class about her role as a friend to Esther, and her being someone Esther trusts. Even when Nolan lies about the shock treatment, Esther isn’t really upset eventually because she knows it was the right thing to do. If she had told the truth, Esther would have been much more stressed out and wouldn’t have slept. We know Doctor Nolan understands Esther more than other people as well. Doctor Nolan knows that having no guests will make Esther happier, so she doesn’t allow any more visitors. She said, “I thought you’d be pleased.” And then she smiled. (201). We see a clear relationship formed between Nolan and Esther which is huge to their characters. I want to further what we were talking about in class, and bring Doctor Nolan’s character back to Doctor Gordon, and explaining the differences between the two.

               From the very moment Esther meets Doctor Gordon, it is clear that she can’t stand him. Esther says, “I hated him the minute I walked in through the door,” (128). She hates everything about him, and has the feeling like he isn’t there for her, and that she is just another patient. Gordon also says, “Suppose you try and tell me what you think is wrong,” (129). Esther feels like Gordon is saying there isn’t really anything wrong with her, and it’s all about how she ‘thinks’ something is wrong with her. We also later learn that Gordon used shock treatments incorrectly on Esther. When Gordon is leading Esther to the shock treatments, Esther narrates, “I climbed after Doctor Gordon’s dark-jacketed back,” (142). To me, this implies the lack of connection between the two. It is a doctor and a patient, there is no friendly relationship between the two at all. The use of the word “climbed” signifies that Esther is on a lower playing field that Gordon, and she is fighting to be at the level.

               When Doctor Nolan first introduces herself, Esther is surprised that she is a woman, saying “I didn’t think they had woman psychiatrists.” Esther herself has had the conflict over gender roles over the whole book. She hated the expectations placed on women over purity, and she admires Doctor Nolan’s success. When she first meets Nolan, she describes her clothes as being “stylish,” giving immediate hints on the Esther that used to be. Esther used to be very dedicated to fashion, so it is a happy moment to hear her talk about Nolan’s professional chic status.

               When Nolan is leading Esther to her shock treatments, we get a similar situation to when doctor Gordon was leading Esther to the incorrect treatments earlier.

Doctor Nolan took out a white handkerchief and wiped my face. Then she hooked her arm in my arm, like an old friend, and helped me, and we started down the hall. (212).

This is a very different feel than when she following Gordon’s back. As they walk hand in hand, as friends. This is a warm moment, because Esther accepts Nolan as not only a friend, but also as a protector. Nolan is there to help Esther, and there is no doubt about that anymore. She has helped Esther when she started to cry, and led her, as a friend, to something that she knows will be effective and helpful to Esther’s recovery.

These are just a few examples of the major role of Doctor Nolan’s character. I think comparing her to Gordon is very important to see Esther’s growth, and reasons for it. We also see the hints of woman professionalism that Esther hopes for in life, and Nolan can be a role model figure.