How we cite our quotes: Cloud 9. Caryl Churchill. Routledge, 2000.
Quote #1
"My skin is black but oh my soul is white. / I hate my tribe. My master is my light." (1.1.24-25)
Joshua is a black servant living in a white household. But worse still, he seems to have adopted the English idea that whiteness is superior to blackness, and so has rejected his family and friends in favor of the people who treat him as a subordinate. Or at least that's what he says at first… dum dum dum.
Quote #2
"What father wants I'd dearly like to be. / I find it rather hard as you can see." (1.1.30-31)
As we quickly find out, Edward identifies more with feminine characteristics than masculine ones. But his dad wants him to become a manly man, so Eddy is caught in a bind between his true self and the person his father wants him to be. Real original plotline, huh?
Quote #3
"Yes, it's manly of you Edward, to take care of your little sister. We'll say no more about it." (1.1.224-225)
When Clive finds out that his son Edward likes to play with his sister's doll, Clive decides that Edward isn't playing with the doll at all, only minding it for his sister. And that is what you call repression. Clive is totally ignoring reality so that he can keep believing that his son will become a tough, butch dude.