These men who had been oppressed in their own land by their own king, forget the misery that they had left behind…they resurrected this misery and passed it on to the Africans.
-- Narrator (Song)

Importance: This quote is in the introductory pages and introduces the reader to thematic presence of slavery that pervades the book. This quote is prescient as the story traces the beginnings of slavery, which includes the development of the characters of slave-owners, namely Samuel Pinchard. The reader eventually learns that Samuel was not born a monster, but gradually grew into one. In a sense, Samuel "resurrects" his own childhood misery and "passes it on" to the slaves on his plantation.

Nilo warned Micco that no matter who his father had been or how friendly white men might seem, they would never truly love or respect the Creek people.
-- Narrator (Song)

Importance: This is soon after Micco murders his father to defend...