School system going to pot. Do you know in some classes they have kids who don’t speak a word of English?
-- Jack and Dolly Cameron (chapter 1)

Importance: As the narrative lists Jack and Dolly's statements about why they are interested in moving to Winthrop, this statement is among their reasons. The statement implies that Jack and Dolly are drawn to Winthrop because they are averse to ethnic diversity in their surroundings. This moment emphasizes the narrative's investigation into underlying issues of race in socio-geographical shifts.

They’re trying to take away something that means something.
-- Albert 'Albie' Winthrop (chapter 2)

Importance: Albie says this while in conversation with the protagonist. Albie is stating his various objections to the idea of changing the town name to something other than Winthrop. Albie sees the town's history as inextricable from his family's history. Albie apparently chooses to ignore the fact that his ancestors took control of the town from the original settlers and changed...