She had folded it into a small square, but now it began to open of its own accord, parting like the wings of a butterfly.
-- Narrator (chapter 2)

Importance: This quotation refers to a newspaper ad promoting Tommy Andrews’ appearance at the Telegraph Club. Intrigued by the photograph of Tommy, Lily has torn the ad out of a newspaper in Shirley’s parents’ restaurant and carried it home with her. The unfolding of the paper suggests a natural momentum beyond Lily’s control, and is symbolic of the uncontrollable nature of her sexual identity. Lily is at first startled by the movement of the ad, but finally reaches for it and unfolds it, giving in to her own curiosity. This moment is the beginning of a series of events that results in her eventually going to the Telegraph Club and beginning a relationship with her classmate Kathleen Miller.

Kathleen raised her eyes to meet...
-- Narrator (chapter 7)