Daria in 'Is It College Yet?'

The Daria franchise has long been a staple of irreverent humor and biting satire, poking fun at the absurdities of life in the 1990s and early 2000s. In 'Is It College Yet?', the series' penultimate installment, our beloved anti-heroine Daria Morgendorffer embarks on the inevitable next step in her educational journey: college. The special opens with Daria reflecting on the impending doom that is graduation, a bittersweet milestone marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in her life. As she weighs her options, Daria's cynicism and apathy serve as a coping mechanism, a way to mask her uncertainty and fear about the future. For Daria, the thought of stepping into a world where she might actually have to make some kind of effort and conform to societal expectations is nothing short of terrifying. As Daria navigates the complexities of college applications, she quickly becomes disillusioned with the pretentiousness and superficiality of the entire process. Her disdain for the system only grows as she and her family deal with the bureaucratic red tape and endless forms required for the application process. The absurdities of standardized testing, application essays, and GPA calculations serve as a backdrop for Daria's wry commentary on the hypocrisy and contradictions at the heart of American education. Meanwhile, Daria's family and friends are trying to process their own experiences and futures in the wake of graduation. Daria's mother, Helen, is frantically trying to plan her future, while her sister Quinn is fixating on finding the perfect college outfit. Quinn's desperation to fit in and appear cool amidst the chaos of senior year provides a stark contrast to Daria's disinterest in the entire process. As Daria nears graduation, she begins to confront the reality that she may have to part ways with some of her closest friends – including Jane, her artistic confidant. Daria's ambivalence towards graduation is tempered by her sadness at leaving the familiar structures and relationships of high school behind. This introspection serves as a poignant reminder that, despite her tough exterior, Daria is not immune to the existential crises and emotional vulnerabilities common to all high school graduates. The central conflict of 'Is It College Yet?' revolves around Daria's own decision-making process and the expectations placed upon her by those around her. When Daria chooses not to attend her dream college, Lawndale Community College, and instead selects a more prestigious institution in the Midwest, she stirs a mix of reactions from her family and friends. Some interpret her decision as a sign of growing maturity, while others view it as evidence of her surrendering to societal pressures. Through her struggles, Daria is forced to confront the uncomfortable reality that, in the world of higher education, there are unwritten rules and expectations that often clash with one's true desires. Her decision to pursue a college education despite her reservations serves as a commentary on the performative nature of academic achievement and the ways in which individuals are socialized to pursue certain paths. As Daria steps into the unknown world of college, the viewer is left with a sense of uncertainty and anticipation for what's to come. 'Is It College Yet?' is a poignant exploration of the human experience, one that acknowledges the pain and anxiety inherent to transitioning into adulthood. By confronting the absurdities of college admissions, the pressures of societal expectations, and the fragility of relationships, Daria offers a relatable and unflinching portrayal of life as a young adult.