Beyond the Horizon by Eugene O’Neill (excerpt)

In this opening scene, Robert is preparing for a journey at sea with his uncle. He dreams of leaving his family farm to seek adventure. His brother, Andrew, enjoys his life working on the family farm.

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.

ROBERT: About that, he figures.

ANDREW: (moodily) That’s a long time.

ROBERT: Not so long when you come to consider it. You know the Sunda sails around the Horn for Yokohama first, and that’s a long voyage on a sailing ship; and if we go to any of the other places Uncle mentions—India, or Australia, or South Africa, or South America—they’ll be long voyages, too.

ANDREW: You can have all those foreign parts for all of me. (After a pause) Ma’s going to miss you a lot, Rob.

ROBERT: Yes—and I’ll miss her.

ANDREW: And Pa ain’t feeling none too happy to have you go—though he’s been trying not to show it.

ROBERT: I can see how he feels.

ANDREW: And you can bet that I’m not giving any cheers about it. (He puts one hand on the fence near ROBERT).

ROBERT: (putting one hand on top of ANDREW’S with a gesture almost of shyness) I know that, too, Andy.

ANDREW: I’ll miss you as much as anybody, I guess. You see, you and I ain’t like most brothers—always fighting and separated a lot of the time, while we’ve always been together—just the two of us. It’s different with us. That’s why it hits so hard, I guess.

ROBERT: (with feeling) It’s just as hard for me, Andy—believe that! I hate to leave you and the old folks—but—I feel I’ve got to. There’s something calling me—— (He points to the horizon) Oh, I can’t just explain it to you, Andy.

ANDREW: No need to, Rob. (Angry at himself) You want to go—that’s all there is to it; and I wouldn’t have you miss this chance for the world.

ROBERT: It’s fine of you to feel that way, Andy.

ANDREW: Huh! I’d be a terrible brother if I didn’t, wouldn’t I? When I know how you need this sea trip to make a new man of you—in the body, I mean—and give you your full health back.

Select the correct answer.
Which statement best summarizes the characters’ relationship in the scene?

A.
Brothers Andrew and Robert discuss Robert’s upcoming journey. Robert expresses that he is very unhappy and wishes to travel with their uncle. Andrew understands and wants to be a good brother but is concerned about Robert’s health.
B.
Robert is preparing for a three-year journey with his uncle. His brother, Andrew, expresses that their parents will really miss him when he is gone.
C.
Robert is preparing for a three-year journey with his uncle. His brother, Andrew, expresses that he is jealous of the adventure and tries to persuade Robert to stay.
D.
Brothers Andrew and Robert discuss Robert’s upcoming journey. Andrew expresses that he and their parents will miss him while he’s gone. Robert explains that he is being called to take the journey, and Andrew says that he understands.