Nothing can be controlled. Only endured.
-- Narrator (Book One)

Importance: Barry has this thought while meeting with Julia on the anniversary of their daughter's death. Realizing the deep pain they have both experienced, and the ways in which their lives have unexpectedly evolved, Barry feels that all facets of life are outside human control. To Barry, life is just a journey he must endure. Despite the resolute nature of these lines, the passage foreshadows Barry's coming experiences with Helena and the memory chair. Through their work, Barry learns that the individual does, in fact, have more control over life and time than he initially believed.

But what do you cling to, moment to moment, if memories can simply change. What, then, is real?
-- Narrator (Book One)

Importance: Barry wonders this after FMS comes over him. Though he has heard of the psychological phenomenon, he never believed it real until this moment in the narrative. Realizing that memory and...