Brandon Scherr The Bell Jar Reading Guide 15-20 Philomena Guinea ?rescued? Esther from the public hospital. Esther?s doctor at the private hospital was Doctor Nolan. Esther dislikes Dr. Gordon because she didn?t like the shock treatment Dr. Gordon gave her. Mrs. Norris doesn?t speak, at all. She is also the only patient newer than Esther. Valerie has scars on her head because she had a Lobotomy. Esther?s new next door neighbor ?up front? in the hospital was Joan. Joan ran away from home because she read about Esther in the newspaper. Joan?s first psychiatrist claims that she would benefit from ?group therapy?. Joan shows Esther the pile of clippings that all talked about Esther being missing, searched for, and being found.