in might find me interesting enough to sleep with.” (Plath 86). This comment is absurd simply because of the qualities she designated as attractive to the opposite sex. As the author does not go into much depth about Constantin, it is impossible to comprehend his take on the situation, however it is possible for the reader to understand what the protagonist is feeling. One often wonders about one’s own inequalities when experiencing rejection by another person. Often the answer is that one is not the image of perfection in the eyes of another, and although this usually cannot be helped, it is usually accompanied by a fantasy of what it would be like to be that perfect person. Esther finds reassurance in her imagination. Although Esther imagines herself as better in different ways, she also possesses another common trait. All people wish to be accepted into society just as they are, where all good attributes are perceived as exactly and no bad ones are pointed out. Esther imagines that “in Chicago, people would take me for what I was….people would love me for my sweet quiet nature.” (Plath 140). Esther’s fantasy is one that is common to all, which effectively creates a link between her and the reader. Her wistful tone embodies in both of the incidents a weakness of humankind, to at once want to be what everyone else wants while at the same time wishing to be true to oneself. Another way in which people find sanction from the reality of themselves is in seeking pleasure from distant ideals. Esther finds herself able to escape from the chaos of her own life and mind through admiration of a different world: “My favourite tree was the Weeping Scholar Tree. I thought it must be from Japan. They understood things of spirit in Japan.” (Plath 145). Esther tries to find the simplicity that is lacking in her life in what she imagines to be a perfectly peaceful and wise existence. Her ...
