Question

At the beginning of Eugene O'Neill's Beyond the Horizon, Robert is portrayed as a dreamer. Which sentence in this excerpt from the play reflects his dream of leaving the farm? ANDREW: (glancing at his hands) That isn’t dirt—it’s good clean earth. (He turns over the pages. His eyes read something and he gives an exclamation of disgust) Hump! (With a provoking grin at his brother he reads aloud in a doleful, sing-song voice) "I have loved wind and light and the bright sea. But holy and most sacred night, not as I love and have loved thee." (He hands the book back) Here! Take it and bury it. I suppose it’s that year in college gave you a liking for that kind of stuff. I'm glad I stopped at High School, or maybe I'd been crazy too. (He grins and slaps ROBERT on the back affectionately) Imagine me reading poetry and plowing at the same time! The team'd run away, I'll bet. ROBERT: (laughing) Or picture me plowing. ANDREW: You should have gone back to college last fall, like I know you wanted to. You're fitted for that sort of thing--just as I ain't. ROBERT: You know why I didn't go back, Andy. Pa didn't like the idea, even if he didn't say so; and I know he wanted the money to use improving the farm. And besides, I'm not keen on being a student, just because you see me reading books all the time. What I want to do now is keep on moving so that I won’t take root in any one place. ANDREW: Well, the trip you’re leaving on tomorrow will keep you moving all right. (At this mention of the trip they both fall silent. There is a pause. Finally ANDREW goes on, awkwardly, attempting to speak casually) Uncle says you'll be gone three years.

Answer 1

The following sentence reflects Robert's dream of leaving the farm: "What I want to do now is keep on moving so that I won’t take root in any one place."

The excerpt of the play presents the two characters of Andrew and Robert as contrasting figures, with Andrew being more of a sedentary manual worker and Robert being attracted to letters and travels:

• "You should have gone back to college ... You're fitted for that sort of thing--just as I ain't"
• "you see me reading books all the time"

Unlike Andrew who probably intends to stay on the farm with the father, the text tells us that Robert is leaving the next day for a very long time:

• "you’re leaving ... tomorrow"
• "you'll be gone three years"

The sentence "What I want to do now is keep on moving so that I won’t take root in any one place" is Robert's explanation of what he wants to do (leave the farm) and why (because he doesn't want to settle down in one place).