How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from On the Waterfront.
Quote #1
EDIE: But Pop, I've seen things that I know are so wrong. Now how can I go back to school and keep my mind on... on things that are just in books, that aren't people living?
Edie told Father Barry not to hide in the church—to get out in the world. Here, Edie faces the same choice. She can't go back to school, since she's realized she needs to search for justice and truth in the world.
Quote #2
BARRY: Isn't it simple as one, two, three? One, the working conditions are bad. Two, they're bad because the mob does the hiring. And three, the only way we can break the mob is to stop letting them get away with murder.
Barry's right—it is that simple. What's not simple is finding the courage to actually take the third step. Especially because people who take the third step, like Joey and Dugan, keep getting killed.
Quote #3
BARRY: There's one thing we've got in this country and that's ways of fightin' back. Gettin' the facts to the public. Testifyin' for what you know is right against what you know is wrong. Now what's ratting to them is telling the truth for you. Now can't you see that? Can't you see that?
Barry has to get the longshoremen to stop letting the gangsters determine what justice is (e.g. killing snitches). They need to adopt a higher morality.