How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I took my cue from Padilla not to vex myself about what didn't come easy. After all, I wasn't yet in any special business, but merely trying various things on. (11.18)
Do you have any hope that Augie will someday find this "special business" of his—something he can commit to and sacrifice for? He later speaks of settling down, but by the end of the novel he's no closer to it than he is here.
Quote #8
Thea was mad about him for his progress. I was that about her, and for lots of reasons, among them admiration, seeing how she succeeded with the bird. (15.34)
Say what you want about Thea's ambitions regarding the eagle, at least she has an ambition. Augie's just along for the ride—Thea is driving. Hmm. Perhaps Augie's ambition is just to be along for the ride as well.
Quote #9
"The world is held for you. So I don't want to be representative or exemplary or head of my generation or any model of manhood. All I want is something of my own, and bethink myself." (22.54)
Augie is finally thinking about what he wants. Will it be enough? We're not sure. He's still vague. He outlines what he doesn't want—to be any model of manhood, whatever that means—but what this something his own is Augie hasn't worked out.