More than grief, more than anger, there is a need. Someone to blame.”
-- Narrator (N/A)

Importance: This is an important piece of foreshadowing of how the situation gets out of hand in the days after the explosion.

That story was told mostly by those who thought she shouldn't be in our school but instead ought to be out learning with the coloreds, but there was pushback from folks who insisted that she as a Mexican and that it was hardly fair to make a Mexican girl go to the darkie school.”
-- An Unnamed Student (N/A)

Importance: This is typical of the prejudice and attitudes of the time. Prejudice is an important theme in this novel. The story about Naomi is speculation about her heritage, including that she might be part Black.

This is East Texas, and there's lines. Lines you cross, lines you don't cross.”
-- Henry (N/A)

Importance: Henry has just learned that the Turners refused to let Naomi shop in...