It is a great pity, observed by uncle, that you don’t apply yourself more to your studies. The dear knows your father worked hard enough for the money he is laying out on your education. Tell me this, do you ever open a book at all?
-- Uncle

Importance: The uncle complains to the student about his apparent lack of commitment to studying. This sets up the core dynamic between the uncle and the student that will continue throughout the novel, in which the uncle criticizes the student and the student becomes increasingly resentful. Only once the student successfully passes his exams is a warmer and more sincere bond revealed between the pair.

Description of my uncle: Red-faced, bead-eyed, ball-bellied. Fleshy about the shoulders with long swinging arms giving ape-like effect to gait. Large moustache. Holder of Guinness clerkship the third class.
-- Student / Narration

Importance: The student includes a description of his uncle in his...