The central drama of the film is the complex, often abrasive relationship between Lady Bird and her mother, . Critics from Rotten Tomatoes highlight how the film balances humor with the "turbulence of a girl growing up".
By insisting on being called "Lady Bird"—a name she says was "given to me, by me"—she attempts to distance herself from her family and the "wrong side of the tracks".
Much of their conflict stems from the family's financial struggles. Lady Bird’s longing for status and wealth clashes with Marion’s exhaustion from working double shifts as a nurse to keep the family afloat. Identity and the Search for Self
Lady Bird's self-imposed moniker is her primary act of rebellion and a literal attempt to self-author her identity.
