She must be practical, sensible. A woman needs money and a man. She needs a man to get started earning money. A man to manage her money. She has to know how to manage men.
-- Narrator (Part One, Pages 1 - 48)

Importance: In this quote, the narrator summarizes Sophie's position in society, and what she needs to do in order to be self-sufficient. The narrator points out the relationship between men and money, and how Sophie needs to use the former to attain the latter. This observation paints Sophie's relationship with men as one that is strictly utilitarian.

I think I have been more than generous. How many husbands do you think permit their wives to live in Paris?
-- Ezra (Part one, Pages 1 - 48)

Importance: This quote reveals Ezra's possessive and controlling attitude towards Sophie. In his mind, Sophie living in Paris is something that he allows her to do, and not something that she is fully entitled to do on her own...