Lady Bird
Analysis sequence 2 20:00-45:00
Sequence 2
• Cut to home and Larry and Marion are sitting at their table. They are discussing Larry’s job. (CC, VV).
• Marion storms into LadyBird’s room and gives out to her for the way she left her bedroom. (LG,VV).
Marion reveals Larry lost his job. She is very concerned with how LadyBird presents herself to her
friends at school. One of them might give Larry a job. (CC,VV).
• Marion is clearly trying to enter a situation she can control after finding that Larry is unemployed.
(VV,CC)
• We gain a lot of insight into the character of LadyBird from the Mise en Scéne used in this bedroom
scene – this directly translates as ‘Put in scene’, and highlights aspects of our protagonist. (LG)
• The guidance counsellor states that her job is to make LadyBird make realistic choices. (Cc).
• LadyBird and Danny begin to get close. Their relationship seems very solid. (VV). When Danny
mentions that Marion is hard on LadyBird she says, ‘well , she loves me’. (VV,CC).
• LadyBird steals her teachers grade book and lies.
• Again we see Marion and LadyBird’s complicated relationship in the thrift store. They return home
and Marion alters the dress for LadyBird. We can tell a lot about her character from this scene.
Sequence 2
• When Danny arrives to pick up LadyBird, he mentions the traintracks LadyBird
talks about. Marion appears dismayed at his comment. (CC).
• There is a large difference between LadyBird’s home and Danny’s grandmothers.
LadyBird realises their house is the one she and Julie admired. (CC,LG,VV).
• LadyBird and her friends enjoy an eventful thanksgiving night. Shelly tells her how
sad Marion was. She explains how much Marion cares for LadyBird.
• The night of the show finally arrives. The atmosphere is exciting and despite their
differences, LadyBird’s entire family shows to support her. (LG,VV).
• When Julie and LadyBird are in the line for the bathroom, they decide to go to the
men’s room. They stumble across Danny kissing a boy from the show. LadyBird is
devasted. She cries listening to music with Julie. (LG,VV). Song; crash into me.
• Cut to scene and LadyBird has her cast removed. Slightly symbolic. Next shot,
LadyBird cheating on her exam. (LG).
Sequence 2
• The scene with the whole family celebrating Christmas is happy and
normal. (LG,VV,CC).
• Larry knocks on LadyBird’s door, she knows it is him because Marion never
knocks. He hands her financial aid applications. They still have not told
Marion. (LG,VV,CC).
• LadyBird starts working in a coffee shop when she meet Kyle. (VV).
• LadyBird’s conversation with Jenna is interrupted. They decide to get
revenge by decorating the nuns car. Julie and LadyBird appear to be
clashing. (VV,LG).
• LadyBird lies to Jenna about where she lives. (CC,LG).
• Danny approaches LadyBird at work. They argue, but ultimately she
supports him. He says Marion is cold but LadyBird disagrees. (LG,VV,CC).
The coffee shop is typical American style.
Sequence 2
• In the next scene, a new brother has taken over the theatre club. In
the next shot, Marion is seen talking to Father Leviatch. He is clearly
struggling. (LG,VV,CC).
• LadyBird gets accepted to Davis College. She is outraged by this. She
struggles to understand why she didn’t get accepted to Berkley. She
screams at Marion and Miguel and states he got in because of his
race. (CC,LG,VV).
• We learn a lot about LadyBird’s character from this scene.
Key moments
• Thrift store scene.
• Marion in LadyBird’s room.
• Danny’s sexuality.
• Davis acceptance.
• Financial aid applications.
Themes
• Relationships and sexuality
• Family
• Social status, societies expectations.
• Wealth and poverty.
• Religion