. . he was filled with the old fear; that he wasn’t good enough, brave enough, handsome enough, tall enough— enough. Still he hoped, he dreamed, he waited; holding his breath, he fixed his gaze upon the most dazzling of them all, the lead swan.
-- Truman (Prologue paragraph 2)

Importance: This quote sets the tone for all of Truman's actions throughout the novel. The man approaching the swans represents Truman and the lead swan symbolizes Babe Paley.

And Slim pouted and shook her blond hair, always hanging over one eye, looking more like Lauren Bacall than did Lauren Bacall, which was only appropriate, since Lauren Bacall had modeled herself after Slim.
-- Slim (chapter 1 paragraph 1)

Importance: Slim Hawkes’ sophisticated and effortless style was world renowned. Like the rest of the Swans, she was built upon an image.

Nelle and I wrote ourselves out of Monroeville, since we couldn’t very well leave on our own.
-- Truman (chapter 2 paragraph 1)

Importance: Truman tells Babe that is was...