Does it occur to you that your attitude can foster how people react to you? That you hurt my feelings by reacting that way, whether you meant to or not?
-- Olive to Ethan (chapter 11 paragraph 67)

Importance: This quotation signifies an important theme that runs throughout the book: the influence of perception. When Olive met Ethan, she interpreted his actions as him not liking her. Rather than give him the benefit of the doubt, Olive abruptly decides to not like him back even though she doesn't know the entire situation. It isn't until much later that Olive learns how wrong she had been by judging Ethan before giving him a chance. By turning the situation into something about herself, she gave off the impression to Ethan that she hated him and retreated in response, solidifying their relationship as enemies. At this point, Olive has yet to accept her own hand in the situation and portrays it to...