"My mother should have been Jewish. She could have taught a class on how to induce guilt"

In this quote, Lorna Luft is expressing her belief that her mother need to have been Jewish. This might be analyzed as a desire for her mom to have a more powerful sense of cultural identity or a better connection to her Jewish heritage. The second part of the quote, "She might have taught a class on how to cause regret," suggests that Luft's mother was knowledgeable at making others feel guilty. This could be seen as a funny or ironical remark, suggesting that her mom was especially adept at utilizing regret as a way of persuasion or control. In general, the quote highlights the complex relationship between mother and daughter and the function of guilt in their dynamic.