How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used Donald M. Allen's translation.
Quote #7
Old Man: "Sometimes I awaken in the midst of absolute silence. It's a perfect circle. There's nothing lacking. But one must be careful, all the same. Its shape might disappear. There are holes through which it can escape." (371)
We wonder what the Old Man means when he speaks of "holes." It seems, in the quote above, that he values the "absolute silence" that he wakes up surrounded by. Could the "holes" possibly occur when he speaks to other people? Could he be saying that communication is in some way a bad thing? Perhaps in dealing with other people we lose some part of ourselves.
Quote #8
Old Woman: "Do you know, my husband has never been understood. But at last his hour has come." (376)
The Old Man has gone through his whole life without ever really communicating with anybody. Not even his wife seems to understand what his message really is. The Old Man seems to place great value on communication, even though he's apparently not very good at it. All of his hopes rest on the Orator delivering his great message.
Quote #9
Orator: "He, mme, mm, mm. Ju, gou, hou, hou. Heu, heu, ju hou, gueue." (541)
Here is the moment we've been waiting for: the delivery of the message. But wait, the Orator doesn't appear to be saying anything at all. Well, he does say "he," which is followed by what might be an attempt to say "me." It also looks like he might be trying to say "you." What does he, me, or you have to do with anything? We have no idea. Ultimately, the Old Man's message, if there ever was one, fails to be communicated. What do you think this says about the ability of language to communicate at all? Is there any combination of words that can articulate the meaning of life?