“I guess I felt like I'd failed her [by throwing up]. She had so many demands on her...The one thing she needed from me was that I not need anything from her [Bechdel's mother].” NeedsFailureMothers Book:Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama Source: Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama
“But, Jocelyn, if I really were all those things [good, kind, talented, hard working, open to change, and adorable]... ...I would die.' I wasn't sure what I meant by this, but it suddenly struck me as the truth. 'Because you'd rather die than feel anger at your mother for not giving you what you needed?” NeedsAngerMothers Book:Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama Source: Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama
“I don't know how anyone gets anything done in New York City. I vastly prefer living in the country. I just need a lot of quiet and solitude, and I'm so easily distracted. I mean, the Internet is enough to deal with.” KnowsNeedsMeanCountryDoneEnoughDealsCitiesKnow HowNew YorkInternetSolitudeQuietNew York CityDistractedLiving In The Country Author:Alison Bechdel
“And partly, the worst thing you could do in my family was need something from someone. So physical strength represented an avenue of self-sufficiency to me.” NeedsSelfWorstMy FamilyAttractionWorst ThingsAvenuesSelf SufficiencySufficiencyPhysical AttractionPhysical Strength Author:Alison Bechdel
