…I was no stranger to the cold, but neither were we friends. It paid little to be on speaking terms with such a monster, for I’d seen what it could do firsthand as my father lay in bed, coughing blood until he died.”
-- Charlie (Narration)  (Chapter One)

Importance: With this quote, the narrative establishes an ongoing pattern of metaphorically paralleling Charlie's experiences and situations with aspects of the weather. The coldness here not only refines the narrative's portrayal of the circumstances of Charlie's poverty. It also metaphorically evokes the emotional coldness and sense of fearful loss that Charlie feels in the aftermath of his father's death.

I’d heard that [Squizzy] was a man not to be trusted – a scheming blaggard who’d squeal on his mother to save his own skin. But … Squizzy Taylor commanded respect. And what’s more, he got it.
-- Charlie (Narration)  (Chapter Two)

Importance: This quote develops up the dichotomy, or set of parallel...