How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #1
"It was the first time he had had anything to do." (1.88)
Forster portrays idleness in the novel as a sign of class: the higher your social status, the less actual work you have to do. Gentlemen like Philip spend their days reading books, making witty jokes, and carrying on philosophical conversations. So when Mrs. Herriton sends Philip to bring Lilia home before she makes a fool of herself, Philip feels all giddy to have something important to do.
Quote #2
There was no more to do in the house, and he spent whole days in the loggia leaning over the parapet or sitting astride it disconsolately. "Oh, you idle boy!" she cried, pinching his muscles. "Go and play pallone." (3.14)
When Gino marries Lilia, he no longer has to work for a living since Lilia has enough money to support both of them. But idleness breeds discontent in this case. Beyond feeling bored out of his mind, Gino is concerned that Lilia holds all the power in their marriage. Notice how Lilia babies him by calling him a "boy," pinching him and telling him to "go and play." When Gino tries to assert his authority, that's when trouble really starts to brew.
Quote #3
"We've come here to get the baby back, and for nothing else. I'll not have this levity and slackness, and talk about pictures and churches." (6.59)
Harriet has one sole purpose in mind right now, and nothing is going to distract her from it. She bosses Philip around to make sure that he doesn't fall into his usual "levity and slackness." But is it better to be like Harriet, whose actions have terribly tragic consequences, or like Philip, whose passivity means that nothing ever gets done?