People can be full of paradoxes when their own pockets are affected.
-- Narration (chapter 1)

Importance: This line of narration refers to the character of Roger. Roger is a local farmer who openly expresses approval for harsh immigration laws. However, he secretly employees undocumented immigrants on his farm so that he can save money by paying them below minimum wage. Roger thereby embodies several sociopolitical problems in the United States, including greed, labor exploitation, racism, and hypocrisy.

Is this what happens to an imagination in old age, a bag lady of great ideas, a snapped necklace, beads scattering?
-- Narration (chapter 2)

Importance: This line of dialogue establishes the fact that Antonia feels somewhat directionless at this point in her life. She is retired and is now living alone in the wake of her husband's sudden death. She tries to adhere to a quiet and predictable routine, but she feels a sense of stagnation and lack of fulfillment. Moreover...