For it all came down to determination, he knew that already. Whether it was the teachers, or other pupils, or even his parents, they were all divided within themselves, all torn, all halfhearted. None of them could stand up against someone who had a goal and really went after it.
-- Martin (The Great Lindemann paragraph page 10)

Importance: This quote is important because it establishes a mindset for Martin at an early age, which contrasts with the Martin that the reader will see at the end of the novel.

No one to help you. No book, no teacher. You had to figure out everything important for yourself, and if you didn’t, you had failed your life’s purpose.
-- Ivan (The Great Lindemann paragraph page 12)

Importance: Ivan is the only one of the three brothers with many redeeming aspects. In this quote the reader sees into Ivan's interior landscape and an understanding of his internal motivation is shown.

Martin understood for the very first time...
-- Martin (The Great Lindemann paragraph page 29)