Quote 1
"But [Bill] is dying faster than he should. The better a man is at business, the worse in retirement. [...] He wishes himself dead, and he dies." (3.121)
Bill McGovern is another guy who goes through a serious transformation over the course of the novel. Before The Day, Bill is caught in a serious depression after retiring from his job as a high-powered corporate executive. And what's his personal transformation, you ask? You'll just have to keep reading to find out.
Quote 2
"I'm not much of a success, am I, in time of crisis? [...] I wish I had enough guts to swim out into the channel and sink." (7.212)
Bill almost falls into the same trap of self-pity as Edgar Quisenberry, his agony over his wife's death and sudden lack of resources nearly overwhelming him. But don't you worry. Old Billy boy has a trick or two up his sleeve yet.