You have chosen a very difficult life for yourself.
-- Peggy’s mother (Chapter 1 paragraph 15)

Importance: When Peggy’s mother learns Peggy is a lesbian, she doesn’t become angry or enraged with Peggy, but casually notes that Peggy’s life is going to be difficult. Peggy herself, as a freshman at college, still does not totally understand her lesbianism, as do many other people. What is known, however, is that the life Peggy will have will be very difficult, for society at large is not accepting of homosexuality.

Each was mystified, but for very different reasons.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1 paragraph 64)

Importance: The sexual attraction that develops between Lee and Peggy confuses both of them. Peggy is a lesbian while Lee is gay. Lee imagines that he has simply been attracted to the wrong kind of girl, while Peggy’s desire to dominate another girl like a man has been lost against an actual man – and now she desires to be dominated...