...rebellious little brother that he is, black sheep, and, yes, apostate...
-- Narration (chapter 1)

Importance: This quote refers to Larry’s status at the beginning of the novel in relation to his Orthodox family members. At the beginning of the novel, Larry is a 30-year-old man who is living a secular life, while his father and sister are living as Orthodox Jews. This juxtaposition creates an initial narrative division between religion and secularism that the novel later explores more deeply.

I’m sure, in that place, for you, it would be Heaven.
-- Larry's Father (chapter 1)

Importance: Larry’s dying father said this to Larry while speaking about the afterlife. Larry’s father pictured the afterlife as a place where people would sit and study Torah for eternity, and thus it would be heaven for those who enjoy the task, and hell for those who don’t. When Larry’s father proclaims that, in his opinion, Larry will experience...