Juno and the Paycock Lesson Plan

What is the central conflict in Mary Boyle's life, and how does it manifest itself?

Mary is caught between her desires for the future, based on what she has read in literature, and her present circumstances, which are rooted in the past and in the life choices of her parents. Mary has dreams and aspirations for a better life, one that will relieve her of having to live in poverty and with few prospects for the future, and it impacts her on all levels. Mary is idealistic and driven by her devotion to principles, which cause her to participate in the strike even though she doesn't like the person whose misfortune she is protesting, and her desires even impact her speech,...