"Family is Family"

Family plays an important role in Vogel's "How I Learned to Drive." Family dynamics are what make and break the relationships in the play. Lil' Bit cannot connect with any of her family members. Her grandparents and mother don't attempt to understand. Instead of nurturing, Lil' Bit's family attacks her, which is why she finds comfort in Uncle Peck. Like Lil' Bit, Uncle Peck is misunderstood by not only his peers, but also his wife. The irony, however, comes from what seems to be Uncle Peck's mantra, "family is family." It's interesting and equally disturbing that Vogel would have the man that's molesting his niece believe that no matter what, "family is family." It's because of her shattered relationships with her mother and grandparents and her twisted relationship with Uncle Peck, that Lil' Bit can't seems to depend of anyone but herself.