Dear Mr. M, I'd like to start by telling you that I'm doing better now. I do so because you probably have no idea that I was ever doing worse. Much worse, in fact, but I'll get to that later on."
-- The narrator/Herman (Chapter 1 paragraph 1)

Importance: This quote opens the book and immediately creates a sense of unease. A one-sided relationship is instantly established between the narrator of the chapter and "Mr. M". The narrator's assurance that he is "better" now purposefully manufactures a distrust of his sanity and stability in the space of a few words (3). The use of initials (especially when coupled with "Mr.") establishes the censored format of the novel. Immediately, the reader is given a great deal of information concerning the format and content of the novel.

After that, the number of people who saw him in real life decreased drastically, until finally he disappeared from sight altogether."
-- The narrator/Herman (chapter 5 paragraph 19)

Importance: In this sentence...