"Oh Willie, you went to your mom…’’
After Rosie enters the bar, she sees Willie watching from the outside. When she goes to talk with him, she sees Willie running away and utters the quote given above. This has the purpose of revealing an important characteristic of Willie, namely how he is depended of his mother. Willie will never do anything to upset her and will always agree with her even when what she wants from his is not what he wants from life. This proves that Willie has yet to become independent and learn how to think for himself.
"Benedictus- Have you caught any fish?
Willie – One or two.
Benedictus – Maybe you did not pray enough."
After Willie returns to his boarding school in Perth, he is welcomed by Father Benedictus who asked him about his summer. The first thing he asks is if Willie caught any fish while he was home. Willie admits that he did not catch as many fish as he liked, just maybe one or two. Upon hearing this, Father Benedictus tries to argue that the reason why Willie did not caught so many fish is because of his lack of faith and this could be solved by praying harder. This quote transmits the idea that for many, praying and religion was the answer to almost any hard question a person may have about life. This also stops many characters from asking questions and from trying to better their lives.
"Boy one – Thou shall not steal.
Boy two – Thou shall not starve either!’’
During one night at the boarding school, Willie is woken up by a couple of his colleagues, telling him they are going to get some food from the kitchen. Willie tries to stop them, telling them about the rules but the boys refuse to listen to him. Willie eventually goes with them and he is amazed when he sees the contents of the fridge. While there, they see a sign inside the fridge, reading "Thou shall not steal’’. One of the boys gets scared and tells the other to return to bed but another boy convinces them that what they are doing is not wrong because they are hungry. This quote shows first of all how the boys were treated, left to deal with hunger more than often. The Father controlled them with religion, telling them they will suffer if they disobey their elders. This shows that religion is used in this play not as something that can bring happiness, but rather as a tool of oppression.
