Sylvia Plath uses a fictional character named Esther Greenwood to tell the story of her own life. Esther is given an amazing opportunity to go to New York with a number of different girls to write for a popular magazine. During this summer experience, she meets a man named Marco during a blind date, who gives her his stickpin, which is worth a substantial amount of money. The man takes the date too far and attempts to rape her, which was one event she experienced that added to her depression. She was also very confused as to what her life was going to come to after college after being denied to a scholarship program. When Esther returns home, she starts feeling as though she has no purpose for living, which was really the peak of her depression. What also triggers this is the electroshock therapy done on her that she receives from Dr. Gordon, which was meant to help her stabilize herself and her emotions. Instead, it makes her feel worse because it was extremely painful. She tries many different ways to commit suicide, but is very unsuccessful. She is also very affected by her mother, and the fact that her father died when she was very young. Her mother didn't sympathize for his death at all, so Esther never really mourns the right way. Esther was in and out of three different hospitals and walks out somewhat recovered from her disorder, but realizes it will be back again one day.