How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
Since he was old enough to know, big boy
Doing a man's work, though a child at heart— (23-24)
Isn't everyone a kid at heart? Man's work is hard. Also, think about how this is meant to hit you as an emotional line—sniff.
Quote #5
No more to build on there. And they, since they
Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs. (33-34)
The boy is described here in terms of the work he did, and it seems that his value lay in his ability to do it. Jeez, this is tough stuff. Also, notice that the family is turning to "their affairs"—usually when someone dies, you take care of his or her affairs, rather than your own...