How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I wonder if it wouldn't have been better if the Almighty had created us all as—well—as sort of plants. You know, firmly embedded in the soil. Then none of this rot about wars and boundaries would have come up in the first place." (3.421)
Mr. Cardinal's comment seems appropriate for Stevens's adventure. When Stevens is in nature, enjoying a view, he often questions his behavior during his years of service to Lord Darlington in a way he would never do while working at Darlington Hall.
Quote #8
[…] perhaps in the nature of coming away on a trip such as this is that one is prompted towards such surprising new perspectives on topics one imagined one had long ago thought through thoroughly. I have also, no doubt, been prompted to think along such lines by the small event that occurred an hour or so ago. (4.8)
Not only the landscape but also the people he meets spur Stevens to reevaluate his life.
Quote #9
I allowed the Ford to run out of petrol. What with this and the trouble yesterday concerning the lack of water in the radiator, it would not be unreasonable for an observer to believe such general disorganization endemic to my nature. (6.90)
Not surprisingly, Stevens isn't a good driver. Despite his protests, disorganization does seem to be a characteristic of Stevens later in life, as he admits to committing a number of minor errors as Mr. Farraday's butler in the Prologue.