How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
HALLY. There's a nice little short story there. "The Kite-Flyers." But we'd have to find a twist in the ending.
SAM. Twist?
HALLY. Yes. Something unexpected. The way it ended with us was too straightforward…me on the bench and you going back to work. There's no drama in that. (927-933)
Hally is thinking of making art out of his life, writing stories of his childhood. But he believes he needs to inject some drama into it or it will be too boring. He doesn't know that there's a shocking twist to this story. We only learn later that Sam couldn't stay on the bench because it was for whites only. That is Fugard's art.
Quote #2
HALLY. [. . .] You know what he wants, don't you? One of their useless old ceremonies. The commemoration of the landing of the 1820 Settlers, or if it's going to be culture, Carols by Candlelight every Christmas.
SAM. It's an impressive sight. Make a good description, Hally. All those candles glowing in the dark and the people singing hymns. (1045-1052)
Hally's homework is to write a description of an annual cultural event, and he's sure that his teacher wants him to write about the celebration of the arrival of English settlers in South Africa, or the European celebration of Christmas. Notice that both of these events are associated with white South Africans, which tells you something about what the teacher considers to be "culture." This exchange also shows us Hally's cynicism vs. Sam's appreciation of the beauty that can be appreciated in anything.
Quote #3
SAM. Yes. I'll show you a simple step—the waltz—then you try it.
HALLY. What will that prove?
SAM. That it might not be as easy as you think.
HALLY. I didn't say it was easy. I said it was simple—like in simple-minded, meaning mentally retarded. You can't exactly say it challenges the intellect. (1175-1181)
Could Hally try any harder to be a jerk? Sam and Hally are arguing over whether ballroom dancing can be considered to be art. Sam, an accomplished dancer, knows that it takes an enormous amount of skill and practice. Hally defends his position, saying that it's just entertainment because, according to him, it is purely physical, not a mental activity. Hally's sure turning out to be an intellectual snob, a sure sign of immaturity.