My father was in the habit of keeping secrets...but Master Mahmut held forth in detail on the challenges of this land and freely shared with me his reasoning.
-- Cem (chapter 4)

Importance: As Cem spends more time with Mahmut, he begins to see Mahmut more as a type of surrogate father figure. This quotation is one of several instances in which Cem makes a direct comparison between his father and Mahmut, thereby emphasizing his view of Mahmut as a type of father figure.

In that moment when we caught each other’s eye, it was as if we were both trying to summon, perhaps even to question, an ancient memory.
-- Cem (chapter 5)

Importance: This quotation appears the first time that Cem sees the red-haired woman. The quotation not only emphasizes the sense of connection that compels Cem to become fascinated with the woman, but it also foreshadows the revelation that the woman once had an affair...