White Oleander, 2002• Based on a novel by:Janet Fitch

• Directed by:Peter Kosminsky

• Starring:Alison Lohman; Michelle Pfeifer; Billy Connoly; ReneZellweger; Robin Wright Penn;

• Beautiful FlowerOleander is one of the most poisonous plants in the world and

contains numerous toxic compounds,

Plot Summary Astrid

• 12 yrs old (novel)• 15 yrs old (movie)Placed in Foster Care Starr-ex stripper;alcoholic; professes tobelieve in Jesus ; wife of Ray- Astrid’s firstlove; Claire- very caring motherly type woman; married to Mark who is always travelling becauseof work; Ingrid convinces her that her husband ischeating on her; she commits suicide Rena- Russian American saleswoman who fosterschildren for the sake of having an extra pair ofhands to help with the gathering other people’sthrowaways to resell at the market. Paul- her best friend. He doesn’t judge Astrid and supports her.

Ingrid • Artist • Loves Astrid in her own self

absorbed way• Sees Astrid as an extension to

herself and not as a person• Never Participated in

mainstream parental activities• Very Beautiful • Sees herself stronger • Falls in love with Barry Kolker• Barry leaves her• Murder• Sentenced to 35 years to life

Script adapted for the movie

•Mary Agnes Donoghue

•Originally Ingrid is a Poet

• Suitcase Metaphor:

Issues Identified

• Narcissism • Self Identity/Self Esteem • Foster Care• Welfare System• Women in Prison• Adolescence • Parental Control

Adolescence• What is adolescence?• The search of Identity.• Physiological changes.• The self esteem.

Adolescence is a transitional stage that occurs between childhood and adulthood. At this stage,

certain changes are dealt including biological, cognitive, social, and emotional transitions.

The 3 stages Adolescence is divided into three stages ofadult development:• Early adolescence (ages 12 to 14), • Mid-adolescence (ages 15 to 16), and • Late adolescence (ages 17 to 21).

The search of identity• Erikson and Marica• From childhood to adolescence :1. Adolescents came to face different challenges2. Start to ask the questions “ who I am?”3. The search of 'ego identity' or 'self-definition.'• From adolescence to adulthood :1. Start to question much serious questions such

"What am I going to do with my life?" 2. These are years of transition and

development

According to Douvan and Adelson:

"Identity does not begin in adolescence. The child has been formulating and reformulating identities throughout his life.... At adolescence, however, the commitment to an identity becomes critical. During this period, the youngster must synthesize earlier identifications with personal qualities and relate them to social opportunities and the social ideals. Who the child is to be is influenced by what the environment permits and encourages." (1966, p14)

The physiological changes

•Hormone changes•Teenage crush

The Self esteem

According to Jessica Borg in her dissertation “Adolescent’s self-esteem and effecting

factors”, speaks about:• Self concept and self esteem• Appearance1. Negative feeling 2. Positive feelings3. Satisfaction

The Effects on self EsteemMoreover, Jessica Borg discusses the factors that effect self esteem including:•Academic Achievement,•Family and Parents,•Friends and peers, and•People in the society.

Reference List•Adams, G., & Berzonsky, M. (2006). Blackwell handbook of adolescence. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd•Borg, J., (2008) Adolescent’s self-esteem and effecting factors. (B.psych. Dissertation) University of Malta. •Cave, B. (n.d.). The search for identity: The teenage struggle. Retrieved April 13, 2011, from http://www.family-university.org/•Douvan, E., & Adelson, J. (1966). The Adolescent Experiment. New York: John Wiley and Sons. (p.14).•Weiten, W. ( 2010). Psychology: Themes and variations (8th ed.). Belmont CA: Wadswort Cengage Learning.