Talking to his father made Dill fell like he was talking to a sentient brick wall that somehow knew about Jesus.”
-- Narrator (chapter 3)

Importance: Dill is visiting his father for the first time in this novel, and this is the first indication the reader has of how difficult their relationship really is.

Today marked the beginning of the end for him, but only the beginning of the beginning for Lydia. He sighed.”
-- Narrator (chapter 5)

Importance: This is how Dill feels about the beginning of his senior year of high school. He is dreading Lydia's departure so much that it he can feel no happiness about anything that is happening at this point. The sigh at the end of this paragraph shows the depth of Dill's sadness.

Seems like at least the two older Dillard Earlys both tried to be the Serpent King in their own way. The first by killing them. The second by handling them...
-- Lamar (chapter 8)