How we cite our quotes: The book doesn't have numbered or titled chapters, but it is broken up into sections with sub-sections under these. We'll call this Chapter:Section:Paragraph.
Quote #1
She had wanted, admittedly, satisfaction, but more than that—respect for the giver of what she had to give, had hoped desire would become more than just that. She wanted, simply, a future in love. (1.3.20)
Unlike the young men who show an interest in her, Helen desires more than being desired for a moment. She longs for permanence, for a love that won't die, and for someone who knows her and respects her.
Quote #2
She promised herself she would save every cent possible and register next fall for a full program at NYU, night. (1.3.22)
Her mother Ida would prefer that she simply catch a nice college-educated husband with good prospects for future riches, but Helen, who loves to read and discuss literature, wants an education for herself. She's willing to make sacrifices to make it happen, but she'll also sacrifice this dream to help her family.
Quote #3
"My child," he sighed, "for myself I don't care, for you I want the best but what did I give you?"
"I'll give myself," she smiled. "There's hope."
With this he had to be satisfied. He still conceded her a future. (1.4.51-3)
Morris has dreams for his daughter, but he hasn't been able to help with them. Just the opposite. The life he's provided keeps her tied to the store and its future. If Helen will have a life beyond the grocery store, it will depend on her taking action.
Quote #4
"All my life I wanted to accomplish something worthwhile—a thing people will say took a little doing, but I don't. I'm too restless—six months in any one place is too much for me." (2.2.59)
You'll notice that Frank's dream isn't really defined. "Something worthwhile" could mean anything. For a time, Frank thinks this might mean a life of crime. His restlessness is part of his problem, as he says, but he's also hindered by a lack of precision. The fellow needs a mission statement.
Quote #5
"I want a larger and better life. I want a return of my possibilities." (2.3.27)
Again, Frank's desires are vague. What does "larger" and "better" mean? What possibilities does he have in mind? Possibilities for what? He doesn't know, so he can't really pursue them.
Quote #6
"It takes years at night."
"Time don't mean anything to me."
"It does to me." (4.6.64-6)
Helen and Frank are talking about taking college courses at night. Frank is considering the idea. He's not bothered by the time commitment as Helen is, but this may be due less to impatience on his part than to his way of meandering through life with no definitive plans.
Quote #7
To stick so close to where she had lived was a crime. His stories made her impatient—she wanted to travel, experience, live.
[..]
At least he made her dream.
(5.1.4, 5.1.5)
Even Frank's haphazard, directionless experiences seem preferable to Helen than her own life.
Quote #8
Yet she knew she mustn't become seriously attracted to him because there would be trouble in buckets. Trouble, thank you, she had had enough of. She wanted now a peaceful life without worry—any more worries. (5.2.64)
We feel for Helen, but her dream of a life without worry just isn't in the cards, for her or anyone. This dream is naive and unrealistic, to say the least.
Quote #9
And if she married Frank, her first job would be to help him realize his wish to be somebody. (6.1.7)
How might a feminist reading of Helen's character go?
Quote #10
Her constant fear, underlying all others, was that her life would not turn out as she had hoped, or would turn out vastly different. She was willing to change, make substitutions, but she would not part with the substance of her dreams. (6.1.8)
Helen's dreams are a little more spelled out than Frank's, but not by much.