Moods 78 &81

Between the sections 78 and 81 you can see that 81 takes place before 78 since Hoffman states “In those days you could see in the sky (there were no factories or street lights) a million stars.” but in 81 he talks about a banquet hall which is more modern. 

When you compare both sections you can see the modern man is trying to sue the banquet hall because he cut his foot with glass. Hoffman implies that if a man is like this would end up with a wife that would be bitter for forty years. In 81 you see that he mentions that they might've not had a lot but they appreciated the little things such as the clear sky full of stars and that he couldn't wait for the day that a women would choose to be with him. 

In my opinion he's trying to indirectly compare the two by saying that even though you have nothing or if you have something minor going on you don't have to act drastically you just have to enjoy everything you have if not you'll end up living a bitter life.