How we cite our quotes: The book doesn't have numbered or titled chapters, but it is broken up into sections with sub-sections under these. We'll call this Chapter:Section:Paragraph.
Quote #7
His goddamned life had pushed him wherever he went; he had led it nowhere. He was blown around in any breath that blew, owned nothing, not even experience to show for the years he had lived. (7.2.6)
Anger! Frank is angry at how his life has gone. His anger pushes him to will something different for himself. His anger helps give him hope. But, as you can see, he still struggles to believe he has a choice in all this.
Quote #8
More than ever she felt herself a victim of circumstance—in a bad dream symbolized by the nightmarish store below, and the relentless, scheming presence of the clerk, whom she should have shouted out of the house but had selfishly spared. (7.2.11)
Helen's feelings illustrate a blending of free will and fate. Escaping the store is out of her power, for now, but the presence of Frank has persisted in part because of choices she's made.
Quote #9
The March wind hastened him along, prodding the shoulders. He felt weightless, unmanned, the victim in motion of whatever blew at his back; wind, worries, debts, Karp, holdupniks, ruin. He did not go, he was pushed. He had the will of a victim, no will to speak of. (8.5.11)
Both Morris and Frank describe themselves as having been moved along by a powerful wind. See the "Symbols, Imagery, Allegory" section of this guide for more discussion of this image.