ioc pt 2

Overall, both Sylvia Plath and Greta Gerwig explore the psychological consequences of familial and societal expectations on young women's construction of identity through different artistic forms. While Plath uses repetition, symbolism, extended metaphor and characterization to portray Esther's psychological fragmentation, Gerwig employs framing and composition, visual contrast, setting and visual symbolism to illustrate Lady Bird's emotional development.
Ultimately, both texts suggest that constructing an authentic identity requires negotiating the expectations imposed by family and society. However, whereas The Bell Jar presents these pressures as psychologically destructive, Lady Bird offers a more hopeful perspective by showing that self-understanding becomes possible through reconciliation, empathy and personal growth.