How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used Donald M. Allen's translation.
Quote #4
Old Man: "When we were young, the moon was a living star, Ah! yes, yes, if only we had dared, but we were only children." (250)
In this quote the Old Man is speaking to the invisible Belle, who seems to be a long-lost love. The moon he speaks of could represent a dream of true love that was never fulfilled. It could also represent the plans he never quite accomplished while he was still young enough to make them happen.
Quote #5
Old Woman: "Saving his [the Old Man's] own soul by saving the world!" (388)
Here the Old Woman points out that her husband's dream of helping the world will also help him. Does that make his dream inherently selfish? Would he be attempting it if it weren't going to benefit him in some way? We've already had hints earlier in the play that he's a pretty selfish dude. Let's not forget that this is the same guy who claims to have left his mother to die alone in a ditch.
Quote #6
Old Man: "I wanted to climb stairways, they rotted the steps...I fell down...I wanted to travel, they refused me a passport...I wanted to cross the river, they burnt my bridges..." (447)
In this passage, the Old Man seems to blame all his failures on others. Could it be, though, that the real reasons his dreams have never come true is because he's never taken responsibility for his own actions?