The Bell Jar Summary of Key Points

The Bell Jar is a semi-autobiographical novel by Sylvia Plath. It follows the protagonist, Esther Greenwood, a successful young woman who becomes mentally ill. Esther’s mental breakdown is depicted with vivid, metaphor-laden prose, as she descends into a state of complete despair, eventually leading to suicide attempts and psychiatric treatment.

White Fragility Summary of Key Points

White Fragility by sociologist Robin DiAngelo explores the defensive reactions white people often have when their racial worldviews are challenged. DiAngelo unpicks these reactions and presents a persuasive argument for the need of white people to confront their racial discomfort and examine their biases. The book underscores the importance of white people in the fight against racism.