I was looking over the impressive list of goods our combine produces, and couldn’t help wondering—where does it all go?...All I see in stores is sea cabbage.
-- Daniil Blinov ("Novostroïka")

Importance: Daniil makes this statement while speaking to his supervisor at the food-packing plant. The plant's official production records show vast quantities of food being produced. However, as Daniil notes, food is in generally short supply, along with many other resources. These dynamics showcase the scarcity of the setting, and the dishonesty displayed by the Soviet government.

It's a delightful place where children run barefoot, pick berries…Communicate with nature, and so on.
-- Caretaker ("Little Rabbit")

Importance: In this line of dialogue, a worker at the orphanage says that an 'internat' is a pleasant place. However, it becomes evident that conditions in an 'internat' orphanage are even worse than young Zaya's current circumstances. These dynamics illustrate the ways in which mismanaged, impersonal bureaucracies can harm...