How to Write a Flawed Worldview, Starring the Fig Tree Metaphor in The Bell Jar

Good Writing Podcast

One of the many things that make The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963) an absolute banger is how deep inside the narrator’s head we are. But what can you do as a writer when how your point-of-view character sees the world is flawed?

How can you give a point-of-view character a developed and interesting worldview while still giving your readers enough clues to interpret the world you’ve written differently?

Other recommendations for this episode:

• “So Sue Me...” by Rebecca Makkai (2014), about why you should never quote song lyrics in your short stories
• Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters (2021) is a great model for two point-of-view characters with contrasting worldviews

Good Writing is a podcast where two MFA friends read like writers and lay out craft ideas for fellow writers to steal. Co-hosted by Emily Donovan and Benjamin Kerns.

Twitter: @goodwritingpod

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