And when we want to sleep, we also want to eat, but we do not, under any circumstances, want to talk.
-- Volodya (Pages 132 - 151)

Importance: When Boris greets and engages Olya and her friends on the train, Volodya immediately tries to dismiss the strange man. The manner in which he is talking conveys Volodya's rudeness and disregard for others. At the same time, Volodya's words introduce the author's underlying explorations regarding desire, hunger, and greed. The friends' characters soon prove defined and dictated by their wants.

Well, humans can get used to anything . . .
-- Boris (Pages 132 - 151)

Importance: Although Olya and her friends try to get rid of Boris, Boris will not stop talking to them about his recent experiences. In this excerpt of the dialogue, Boris is describing his experience eating nothing but horse soup for the past seven years of his life. The friends balk, doubting that anyone could endure such suffering. Boris's response encapsulates his evolved...