Kramer vs. Kramer Duty Quotes

How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Kramer vs. Kramer.

Quote #4

TED: God damn it, Billy. I knew this was gonna happen. I knew this was gonna happen. Who told you not to drink this stuff here, and you're supposed to have it all at the dining room table, huh?

BILLY: Sorry.

TED: Yeah, you're sorry. I told you to keep that juice in the dining room. You don't take anything out here anymore.

BILLY: Sorry.

TED: Who took you to the park and gave you everything you wanted, huh?

BILLY: You.

TED: Yeah. Who bought you an ice cream?

BILLY: You.

TED: Yeah. And who promised Daddy that when we got home, you would let him work and not bother him, huh?

Ted thinks that Billy owes him some good behavior because Ted provides for him. He thinks it's like a business contract—albeit a verbal one: "I take you to the park and get you some ice cream, and you follow the rules and be the first kid to never spill anything." Ted should've gotten it in writing.

Quote #5

TED: And then what happened?

BILLY: Well, I don't want to be late for school. I'll see you later.

TED: Wait a minute. Let me give you your homework. Give me a kiss. (to another kid) Hi, Tommy.

Gone are the days of Ted hurriedly dumping Billy in front of his school and hoping that woman he left his kid with is a teacher. Ted even knows the names of other kids.

Quote #6

JIM: Teddy, look, I know you may be a little short of cash right now. No big hurry about paying this back.

TED: Shame on you.

Throughout the film, especially during the first act, Ted makes a big deal about being a provider. That's his role. He's good at it. That's why Jim's offer of cash is so insulting; he's suggesting that Ted's no longer able to provide for Billy, which, by extension, means Ted's no longer a man. Ouch.