The guidelines on how to keep a young bonobo healthy are pretty short: When they're with their mothers, they're happy and healthy; when they're not with their mothers, they begin to die.
-- Sophie (Chapter 3 paragraph 6)

Importance: Sophie is introducing the three surrogates who serve as “mamas” to the baby bonobos in the sanctuary nursery. The three women are vital to the survival of the young bonobos.

Sometime during my six years in the states, I began to hate the Democratic Republic of Congo.
-- Sophie (Chapter 4 paragraph 1)

Importance: Sophie's dislike for the Congo is an important part of her character. She says she liked the country as a young girl because she didn't know anything different.

His life stood for those other two lives. And it stood for my own guilt.
-- Sophie (Chapter 6 paragraph 24)

Importance: Sophie is very much aware that her decision to buy Otto prompts the trader to kidnap the other two young bonobos. She feels guilty about it and realizes...