What was the main conflict in The Bell Jar?

The main conflict in Sylvia Plath's novel The Bell Jar is the protagonist, Esther Greenwood's, struggle with mental illness, primarily depression and anxiety, and her attempts to find meaning and purpose in life. Set in the 1950s, the story follows Esther as she navigates the expectations and pressures of society, particularly those placed on young women of her time, and her own personal and psychological struggles. The conflict stems from Esther's inability to conform to societal norms and her feelings of isolation and alienation. She feels trapped and restricted by the narrow options available to women, and her mental health further deteriorates as she experiences a lack of agency and control over her own life. Throughout the novel, Esther grapples with her desire for freedom and self-expression while contending with the constraints imposed on her by societal expectations and her own mental health issues.