--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But what does he do to qualify as a…" description: "\"But what does he do to qualify as a sonovabitch?” Jenny asked. “Make me”, I replied. “Beg pardon?” “Make me”, I repeated. Her eyes widened like saucers..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c13/erich-segal-12086_asked_but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sono_953740.jpg" --- # But what does he do to qualify as a sonovabitch?” Jenny… ![“But what does he do to qualify as a sonovabitch?” Jenny asked. “Make me”, I replied. “Beg pardon?” “Make me”, I repeated. Her eyes widened like saucers. “You mean like incest?” she asked. “Don’t give me your family problems, Jen. I have enough of my own.” “Like what, Oliver?” she asked, “like just…” quote by Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c13/erich-segal-12086_asked_but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sono_953740.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c13/erich-segal-12086_asked_but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sono_953740.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c13/erich-segal-12086_asked_but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sono_953740.jpg) > “But what does he do to qualify as a sonovabitch?” Jenny asked. “Make me”, I replied. “Beg pardon?” “Make me”, I repeated. Her eyes widened like saucers. “You mean like incest?” she asked. “Don’t give me your family problems, Jen. I have enough of my own.” “Like what, Oliver?” she asked, “like just what is it he makes you do?” “The ‘right things’”, I said. “What’s wrong with the ‘right things’?” she asked, delighting in the apparent paradox.” [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character resists being reduced to a label, emphasizing personal agency over family expectations. **In simple terms:** People should define themselves, not be defined by others. Key Takeaway Assert your own identity. Themes identity agency family boundaries Mood defensive conflicted Type dialogue dramatic When to use this quote - personal relationships - family gatherings - self‑reflection Key Concepts self‑definition psychology conflict Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain autonomy in close relationships? - What boundaries protect your identity? A Different Perspective Family expectations can limit personal growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Family problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-problems/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Pardon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pardon/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-thing/) ## Related quotes > [“Let her wake as when she close her eyes. That was all Jenny asked for. That was all she begged for on this March…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/let-her-wake-as-when-she-close-her-eyes-that-was-all-jenny-asked-for/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [Are you armed?" Oliver asked her. She glanced down at her backpack and instantly, instinctively held back. "No." "Lie to me again and I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/are-you-armed-oliver-asked-her-she-glanced-down-at-her-backpack-and/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“Sometimes I ask myself what I would be if Jenny were alive. And then I answer:I would also be alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/sometimes-i-ask-myself-what-i-would-be-if-jenny-were-alive-and-then-i/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Sometimes I ask myself what would I be if Jenny were alive. And then I answer : I would also be alive." - Oliver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/sometimes-i-ask-myself-what-would-i-be-if-jenny-were-alive-and-then-i/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Jenny, if you're so convinced I'm a loser, why did you bulldoze me into buying you coffee?' 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I asked forgiveness, I asked that the Church grows healthy, I asked for… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-asked-guadalupe-for-the-world-for-peace-so-many-things-i-asked/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“Even the harmful and awkward and stupid things?" asked Sunday. "There are reasons for those?" "Especially those." said Joy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alethea-kontis/even-the-harmful-and-awkward-and-stupid-things-asked-sunday-there-are/) [Alethea Kontis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alethea-kontis/) > [Most of the things that are asked of me as a representative black person, would suggest never are we equal Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-haley/most-of-the-things-that-are-asked-of-me-as-a-representative-black/) [Alex Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-haley/) > [ It was \[Donald trump\] had seen me on the job there, doing other things, and he asked me if I could run the place,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/it-was-donald-trump-had-seen-me-on-the-job-there-doing-other-things/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [“Did you find someone who makes you feel all those things?” she asked, not wanting to think of her own failed union. He locked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-rossi/did-you-find-someone-who-makes-you-feel-all-those-things-she-asked/) [Mila Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-rossi/) ## More by Erich Segal > [Professors of classics - not even a professor of English - professors of classics, they're something sacred; it's almost like being a priest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/professors-of-classics-not-even-a-professor-of-english-professors-of/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [although science could pinpoint the exact spot in the brain that ignites rage, they had yet to identify the location that produces love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/although-science-could-pinpoint-the-exact-spot-in-the-brain-that/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“Let's just run, huh?" Bob picked up the pace, hoping to tire his partner into silence. "That reminds me," Bernie puffed, "you know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/let-s-just-run-huh-bob-picked-up-the-pace-hoping-to-tire-his-partner/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Some were brilliant bordering on genius. Others, genius bordering on madness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/some-were-brilliant-bordering-on-genius-others-genius-bordering-on/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [I was afraid of being rejected, yes. I was also afraid of being accepted for the wrong reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/i-was-afraid-of-being-rejected-yes-i-was-also-afraid-of-being/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Sometimes I ask myself what would I be if Jenny were alive. And then I answer : I would also be alive." - Oliver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/sometimes-i-ask-myself-what-would-i-be-if-jenny-were-alive-and-then-i/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [What can you say about a twenty-five-year-old girl who died?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/what-can-you-say-about-a-twenty-five-year-old-girl-who-died/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“I mean, imagine for a second Olivero Barretto, some nice Italian kid from down the block in Cranston, Rhode Island. He comes to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/i-mean-imagine-for-a-second-olivero-barretto-some-nice-italian-kid/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Quiet heroism or youthful idealism, or both? What do we know? That life without heroism and idealism is not worth living - or that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/quiet-heroism-or-youthful-idealism-or-both-what-do-we-know-that-life/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“What the hell makes you smart?" I asked. "I wouldn't go for coffee with you." "Listen - I wouldn't ask you." "That," she replied,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/what-the-hell-makes-you-smart-i-asked-i-wouldn-t-go-for-coffee-with/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [The pain of not knowing what to do was exceeded only by that of knowing what I had done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/the-pain-of-not-knowing-what-to-do-was-exceeded-only-by-that-of/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“Min­nie Four-Eyes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/min-nie-four-eyes/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [We have turned doctors into gods and worship their deity by offering up our bodies and our souls - not to mention our worldly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/we-have-turned-doctors-into-gods-and-worship-their-deity-by-offering/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Her handwriting was curious — small sharp little letters with no capitals (who did she think she was, e. e. cummings?).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/her-handwriting-was-curious-small-sharp-little-letters-with-no/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“You don't know about falling off cliffs, Prep­pie,' she said. 'You never fell off one in your god­damn life.' 'Yeah,' I said, re­cov­er­ing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/you-don-t-know-about-falling-off-cliffs-prep-pie-she-said-you-never/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) [Explore all 51 Erich Segal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) ## More Asked quotes > [“Are you sure?" he asked in a low voice. "Because if I had the chance... I would spend every moment of every day with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-monir/are-you-sure-he-asked-in-a-low-voice-because-if-i-had-the-chance-i/) [Alexandra Monir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-monir/) > [“Who tricked me into this whole thing and leaves me standing here? Who am I? How did I get into the world? Why was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-ren-kierkegaard/who-tricked-me-into-this-whole-thing-and-leaves-me-standing-here-who/) [Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-ren-kierkegaard/) > [“The best questions are ones never asked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cory-molloy/the-best-questions-are-ones-never-asked/) Robert Cory Molloy > [A lot of people think I'm snotty. So what? They never asked me out when I was serving cheeseburgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-moriarty/a-lot-of-people-think-i-m-snotty-so-what-they-never-asked-me-out-when/) [Cathy Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-moriarty/) > [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [For me to even be talking about bikini confidence is crazy. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I probably would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordin-sparks/for-me-to-even-be-talking-about-bikini-confidence-is-crazy-if-you-had/) [Jordin Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordin-sparks/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The only thing Steve Jobs has ever asked me in all the years we've been together and have been partners, the only thing he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-only-thing-steve-jobs-has-ever-asked-me-in-all-the-years-we-ve/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [“A girl likes to be asked, dumbass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-stover/a-girl-likes-to-be-asked-dumbass/) [Matthew Stover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-stover/) > [I've been asked to school dances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/i-ve-been-asked-to-school-dances/) [Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/) > [“Which to you have?' Mel asked, blocking the entry with his body. 'Talent or issues?' 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Then I thought, Why not me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/at-first-i-asked-why-me-then-i-thought-why-not-me/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) Browse all 2,259 Asked quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But what does he do to qualify as a sonovabitch?” Jenny asked. “Make me”, I replied. “Beg pardon?” “Make me”, I repeated. Her eyes widened like saucers. “You mean like incest?” she asked. “Don’t give me your family problems, Jen. I have enough of my own.” “Like what, Oliver?” she asked, “like just what is it he makes you do?” “The ‘right things’”, I said. “What’s wrong with the ‘right things’?” she asked, delighting in the apparent paradox.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Erich Segal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sonovabitch-jenny-asked-make-me-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asked" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sonovabitch-jenny-asked-make-me-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c13/erich-segal-12086_asked_but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sono_953740.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c13/erich-segal-12086_asked_but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sono_953740.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c13/erich-segal-12086_asked_but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sono_953740.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“But what does he do to qualify as a sonovabitch?” Jenny asked. “Make me”, I replied. “Beg pardon?” “Make…” — Erich Segal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Erich Segal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "But what does he do to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sonovabitch-jenny-asked-make-me-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/but-what-does-he-do-to-qualify-as-a-sonovabitch-jenny-asked-make-me-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```