Her family was gone from her. Her life was gone from her. If she gave in to the pull of the water, what would it matter?
-- Narrator (Prologue)

Importance: Here, the narrator describes Mei Lien’s thoughts after being pushed into the water by her father. Without the context which comes a few chapters later, readers have no idea why Mei Lien’s father would push her off a ship. Nevertheless, she is still heartbroken as she watches the ship carrying her family sail away, and contemplates simply giving up and dying.

Inara stared at the ship on the sleeve. As intriguing as it was, something about it told her she should just stash the sleeve back under the stairs and forget about it.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: When Inara discovers the sleeve in the staircase with Olivia, she is amazed. The sleeve is beautiful but ominous. It symbolizes mystery, the answer to which will not bode...