Juan Dahlmann … chose the line represented by his romantic ancestor, his ancestor of the romantic death.
-- Narrator (N/A paragraph 1)

Importance: This quote shows that Dahlmann glorifies death. He chooses to represent his Argentinian side, because his Argentinian ancestor died 'romantically.' This shows that he admires a beautiful death.

... he came to realize that he had merely been, up until then, in a suburb of hell.
-- Narrator (N/A paragraph 1)

Importance: This quote houses a metaphor. This metaphor highlights the extent of Dahlmann's suffering. He was uncomfortable before reaching the sanitarium, but after spending time in the sanitarium, he realizes that he was merely in what felt like a suburb because the sanitarium is much worse.

... the two beings, man and cat, were as good as separated by glass, for a man lives in time, in succession, while the magical animal lives in the present, in the eternity of the instant.
-- Narrator (N/A paragraph 4)

Importance: This quote highlights Dahlmann's struggle with his reality...