One of the prominent themes in "Ghost World" is the struggle between childhood and adulthood that Enid and Becky face. While Becky becomes stagnant and wishes for life to revert to its previous high school state, Enid vehemently rebels against definition and endeavors to satisfy her underlying identity crises. By revisiting their childhood relics, the girls realize that they can no longer live in their own pasts and have no choice but to develop and find their respective futures.
Becky's most difficult task lies in her inability to change. She is the conservative one in the group, and that prevents her from taking the necessary risks to move on with her life. Instead of attending college or moving out of the house, Becky begins working a steady job and develops an intimate relationship with Josh. When her friendship with Enid begins to grow weary, Becky attempts to move to college with her. She feels so compelled to grasp onto aspects of her childhood that she painfully refuses to accept the distance growing between her and Enid.
On the other hand, Enid wants to move into adulthood, but is unsure how. At her yard sale, she contradicts herself as her temperament towards her childhood toys fluctuates from apathy and distaste to love and desire. She has the same problems of letting go of her childhood, but it is of a different nature than Becky. Enid knows she has to eventually move on, and she takes the steps necessary to mature, yet she still maintains the same anxiety Becky feels. By applying for Strathmore and purchasing a car, Enid shows that her reluctance for change is not as severe as Becky's.
Enid's wardrobe also signifies her emotional instability. In a vain search to attain the one "style" that will perfectly define her, all she manages to secure are weird and arcane accessories. She shifts her clothing so often and so drastically throughout the novel, alluding to the fact that she has no idea what she really wants.
