Fear presides over these memories, a perpetual fear.
-- Philip (Vote for Lindbergh or Vote for War)

Importance: This is the first sentence of the novel, and it helps set the tone of fear and dread that suffuses the entire narrative. The essential story of the novel is the story of rising anti-Semitism and fascism in America, which would harshly target minorities groups such as the Jews. This quotation also helps to establish the purpose of Philip’s point of view in the narrative, specifically the conveyance of terror that Philip and his persecuted people so often experience.

We cannot allow the natural passions and prejudices of other peoples to lead our country to destruction.
-- Charles Lindbergh (Vote for Lindbergh or Vote for War)

Importance: This quotation comes from an actual speech by Charles Lindbergh. In the speech, Lindbergh claims that all pro-war sentiment has originated from a small group of powerful Jews in America who wish to push the country into the war against Hitler for their own benefit...