The little heart. A helpless little heart beating wildly. Stopped suddenly like a bird dropped from the sky. A single shot.
-- Narrator (Snow paragraph Page 8)

Importance: This quote shows the death of Sylvie's unnamed child, if only for a moment. It sets the tone for birth, death, rebirth that is going to be a recurring motif throughout the novel. It also shows the use of the symbolism of birds and wings.

Sylvie was pleasantly surprised by her elder daughter’s capacity for monotony. It would stand her in good stead for her life to come.
-- Narrator (War paragraph Page 55)

Importance: This shows Sylvie's disdain for the life she is forced to lead. A woman's life is full of monotony and temperance, and Sylvie, at this point in the book, still mourns for a life of luxury and excitement that she will never know.

Darkness fell swiftly, at first an enemy, but then a friend.
-- Narrator (November 11 1918 paragraph Page 83)

Importance: This is significant because it is...