In "The Bell Jar," Sylvia Plath expresses a strong disdain for the eighteenth century, reflecting her frustration with the era's intellectualism and artistic conventions. She criticizes the era's male writers, who she perceives as self-satisfied and overly concerned with reason, producing tightly-structured poetry that lacks emotional depth. Plath's remark illustrates her broader rejection of societal norms and expectations, particularly those that confine women's roles in literature and life.

Plath's attitude towards the eighteenth century signifies a deeper conflict with the cultural values of her time. Her feelings toward the period suggest a longing for authenticity and emotional expression, rather than the rigid frameworks imposed by intellectualism. This perspective resonates throughout her work, as she grapples with her identity and the pressures placed upon her as a woman and a writer.