He sneered at himself for his lack of spirit. If he had to do with strangers, he told himself, he could take up his case and fight for it. He could not assert himself against his father or mother, but he could be bold enough with the rest of the world.
-- Narrator, focalized through Claude (chapter 1 paragraph 2)

Importance: Here, Claude struggles with his familial inheritance and his integrity. Although Claude resents his inheritance, desiring to break free and find his own purpose, he says he cannot “assert himself against his father or mother.” In effect, Claude is bound by his integrity, which demands he respects his family and what they have given to him; but simultaneously, he is frustrated by this inheritance, desiring a different one. This conflict between inheritance and integrity is perhaps Claude’s main struggle throughout the novel.

I believe He wants to save whatever is noble in this world, and that He knows...
-- Mrs. Wheeler (chapter 1 paragraph 11)