How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from On the Waterfront.
Quote #1
EDIE: What kind of saint hides in a church?
Edie's telling Barry that you can't be a saint without engaging with the world. You have to go out there, and do stuff.
Quote #2
JOHNNY: What gives with our boy tonight, Charley? He ain't himself.
CHARLEY: The Joey Doyle thing. You know how he is. Things like that — he exaggerates them.
Terry isn't actually exaggerating it. He's got a conscience and is reacting the way a normal person should react to murder—with disgust and horror. Charley and Johnny are the ones having the messed-up reaction.
Quote #3
TERRY: I thought they'd talk to him. Try to get him to dummy up.
CHARLEY: Maybe he gave them an argument.
TERRY: I figured the worst they'd do is work him over a little.
Charley's already trying to explain or justify the murder—he knows who butters his bread (Johnny). But Terry can't get away from his conscience, and is already blaming himself for his role in the murder.