The Home Quotes in On the Beach

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"You don't want to remember how a person looked when he was dead—you want to remember how he was when he was alive. That's the way I like to think about New York." (2.195)

It would be heartbreaking for Dwight to see the condition of his home state. As long as he keeps his distance, he's able to keep his home perfectly preserved in his memory. If he sees it firsthand, however, he may have to actually reckon with the fact that those memories are just that—memories. For him, it's much better to turn a blind eye and keep hope alive.

Quote #5

"Most of the officers and the enlisted men, they must have been very near their homes. There was nothing they could do, of course." (3.294)

Here, Dwight is talking about the only other remaining American submarine, the Swordfish. And we certainly agree with him on this one: it must have driven those dudes mad to be so close to their homes yet unable to go ashore.

Quote #6

He turned to her. "Say, this is just like an avenue in a small town in the States!" (4.216)

Dwight always lights up whenever he sees anything that reminds him of America. In fact, that's one of the main reasons he loves hanging at the Davidson's farm so much.