He carried out what was asked of him, turned his keen senses to the foolhardiest of tasks and in the meantime, alas years or decades too late, became able to give the impression that he was fine with everything, that he wasn't against it, but for it.
-- Gilbert (1 - Tokyo)

Importance: In the early pages of the novel, Gilbert reflects on the many disappointments in his life, including his lack of career success. He is bitter that he has been surpassed by colleagues whom he regards as less intelligent than himself, but he has attempted to ignore these frustrations. He has pretended to be happy for years, and now all of his dissatisfaction is rising to the surface, causing him to flee Germany.

Beard fashions and the image of God was his thematic focal point, which, depending on the day, he either found enormously fruitful, electrifying even, or completely absurd and deeply depressing.
-- Gilbert (1 - Tokyo)

Importance: This...