In this dialogue, Natan and Agnes, who are just beginning their romance, are looking at the sky together when Natan asks Agnes, “What’s the name for the space between stars?”

When Agnes tells Natan that the space between stars is called “the soul asylum,” she links the night sky with spirituality as she evokes the idea of a “soul.” Natan, clearly picking up on the spiritual resonance she is evoking, tells Agnes that “soul asylum” is the same thing as “heaven.” Agnes, however, objects. Agnes has already made it clear that she sees distinctions in names as very important. While…