Born Quote by Shirley Jackson
“My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all, I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise. I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cup mushroom. Everyone else in our family is dead.”
About This Quote
Source short story: “The Haunting of Hill House” (1943)
The narrator feels alienated by physical differences and family loss, yearning for an alternate identity.
In simple terms: She feels out of place and wishes to be a werewolf.
Key Takeaway
Accept your unique traits and seek supportive connections.
Themes
identity
alienation
family loss
fantasy escape
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy
- creative writing
- support groups
- personal storytelling
Key Concepts
self‑acceptance
grief
imagination
body image
Questions to Reflect On
- How does physical uniqueness shape self‑identity?
- What coping mechanisms help with family loss?
A Different Perspective
Fantasy may distract from real healing.
