Amy Barksdale: Difference between revisions

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Amy, on the other hand, dropped out of sight. She remained "barricaded" in her bedroom and read "weird Russian novels" to avoid the conflicts with her sisters (per Rita and Amy "Aunt Nauseam") and possibly to avoid her parents as well, who paid her little attention and offered no appreciation for her achievements. To some extent, according to Helen, Amy used the other two girl's arguing as an excuse to avoid any "family responsibility".
Amy, on the other hand, dropped out of sight. She remained "barricaded" in her bedroom and read "weird Russian novels" to avoid the conflicts with her sisters (per Rita and Amy "Aunt Nauseam") and possibly to avoid her parents as well, who paid her little attention and offered no appreciation for her achievements. To some extent, according to Helen, Amy used the other two girl's arguing as an excuse to avoid any "family responsibility".


The situation led, in Amy's own words to "years of bitterness and resentment" between all three siblings. "Nauseum" reveals that while she resents Rita being the favourite, she also resented ''Helen'' for showing them up and holds her in contempt for "nursing [her] childhood grudge" with Rita "well into adulthood". It's also Helen that gets the sharpest barb in "I Don't": Amy's first words to Jake are to commend him for staying married to her. Amy also grew to resent her mother, and has effectively cut off ties with her, claiming she "never offered us the slightest bit of encouragement or appreciation".
The situation led, in Amy's own words to "years of bitterness and resentment" between all three siblings. "Nauseum" reveals that while she resents Rita being the favourite, she also resented ''Helen'' for showing them up and holds her in contempt for "nursing [her] childhood grudge" with Rita "well into adulthood". It's also Helen that gets the sharpest barb in "I Don't" - Amy's first words to Jake are to commend him for staying married to her - and the automatic (and correct!) assumption that Helen started an argument because she hasn't gotten over Rita getting a better car from Dad.

Amy also grew to resent her mother, and has effectively cut off ties with her, claiming she "never offered us the slightest bit of encouragement or appreciation".


As an adult, Amy is sarcastic to the point of rudeness when speaking with or about her sisters, even if she's talking to her nieces or her sister's spouses/boyfriends. She says what's on her mind and doesn't care what anyone thinks of it. (In "I Don't," she feels "no particular obligation to listen to anyone else's B.S. Ever.") Her wit is quick but with a sharp, angry edge. Her lack of involvement in Barksdale family life has carried over to the point that Daria and Quinn barely recognize Amy when she appears in "I Don't." Amy can't recall whether Daria is in high school, college, "or something." She's deliberately remained out of the picture for decades, a willing and determined outsider who is always "out of place" when with her siblings.
As an adult, Amy is sarcastic to the point of rudeness when speaking with or about her sisters, even if she's talking to her nieces or her sister's spouses/boyfriends. She says what's on her mind and doesn't care what anyone thinks of it. (In "I Don't," she feels "no particular obligation to listen to anyone else's B.S. Ever.") Her wit is quick but with a sharp, angry edge. Her lack of involvement in Barksdale family life has carried over to the point that Daria and Quinn barely recognize Amy when she appears in "I Don't." Amy can't recall whether Daria is in high school, college, "or something." She's deliberately remained out of the picture for decades, a willing and determined outsider who is always "out of place" when with her siblings.