The word intern appeared in the mid-nineteenth century as a transitive verb meaning “to confine” or “to detain,” as within the four walls of an asylum where people , like Esther, lived for many years. Eventually, the word acquired an intransitive force and it became possible to talk about being interned somewhere rather than being interned. In reference to The Bell Jar, Esther is interned three times: first in the offices of a New York fashion magazine; second, at his house when he returns from New York; and third, in a psychiatric hospital subtly compared to a college, the institution responsible for assisting internships has spread beyond the general boundaries. Generally, only one of these internships would be considered white-collar work, but Nicholas says all three work together to give Esther the experience she needs to launch her literary career. To paraphrase Nicholas' essential point, Esther's desire to gain experience through internships led her down a bumpy road that many college students face, but ultimately the experiences serve as catalysts in the pursuit of