Bell Jar

The Bangles' song 'Bell Jar' delves into the complex emotions of a woman who appears to have it all but is trapped in a state of profound isolation and sadness. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a woman who captivates everyone around her, likened to the 'seven wonders of the world.' Despite her allure, there's an underlying sadness that she conceals, described as 'moonlight and madness,' suggesting a duality of beauty and turmoil. The metaphor of the 'bell jar' is central to the song, symbolizing her entrapment in a transparent yet confining space where she can see the world but remains isolated from it.

The woman dresses in black, a color often associated with mourning and sorrow, indicating that she is drawn to sadness like a magnet. Everything seems to come to her effortlessly, yet she is frustrated by her inability to change her circumstances. This frustration is a poignant reflection of her internal struggle, as she feels trapped in a life she has created but cannot escape. The bell jar metaphor extends to her emotional state, where she feels at home in her loneliness, never truly alone but always lonely. The lyrics question the crime in knowing one's mind and the desire to set it free, highlighting the conflict between self-awareness and the inability to break free from one's mental prison.

The song reaches a climax with the imagery of her 'glass-sided prison' and the note she writes to excuse herself from the world. This powerful image underscores the severity of her isolation and the suffocating nature of living in a bell jar. The song's narrative is a poignant exploration of the themes of isolation, mental health, and the struggle for self-liberation. The Bangles use evocative language and metaphors to convey the depth of the woman's emotional turmoil, making 'Bell Jar' a hauntingly beautiful and thought-provoking piece.