How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
HALLY. Sam! Willie! (Grabs his ruler and gives WILLIE a vicious whack on the bum) How the hell am I supposed to concentrate with the two of you behaving like bloody children!
[. . .]
(SAM and WILLIE return to their work. HALLY uses the opportunity to escape from his unsuccessful attempt at homework. He struts around like a little despot, ruler in hand [. . .]) (1139-1151)
This is too much. First it's "act your age;" then it's telling his mom to treat his dad like a child; but spanking a grown man is really crossing the line. It's as though everyone in the play were a child, taking turns being in charge. (See our brilliant psychological analysis of previous quote.)
Quote #5
SAM. [. . .] Are we never going to get it right?...Learn to dance life like champions instead of always being just a bunch of beginners at it? (1409-1411)
"Beginners." While Hally's struggling to come of age in a really messed-up society, Sam realizes how hard it is to grow up when, really, no one actually knows what they're doing. We're all new at every age unless we reflect and try to learn from what's around us.
Quote #6
HALLY. (Pause as HALLY looks for something to say) To begin with, why don't you also start calling me Master Harold, like Willie.
[. . .]
SAM. (Quietly and very carefully) If you make me say it once, I'll never call you anything else again. (1681-1689)
Hally descends to the point of making Sam call him "Master Harold" instead of "Hally." This doesn't really have anything to do with respect or Hally growing up; it has to do with humiliation. When Sam says that he'll only ever call him that if he has to do it even once, he means that their intimacy and friendship will be broken forever.