He was exactly what they said he was. Incompetent. Irresponsible. It was all true, true, true.
-- Narrator (chapter 2)

Importance: Throughout Ray's young adult life, he has been met with constant adversity. As a Black man, Ray has learned from a young age, that people will judge and undermine him based on the color of his skin. Ever since having this revelation as a teenager, Ray has attempted to overcome adversity via love, and particularly via music. However, after his violin is stolen, he immediately blames himself. He feels as if the violin's disappearance is evidence of his incompetence, his failure, and his general inability to succeed in life. This moment speaks to the author's overarching explorations regarding prejudice, discrimination, and identity. These lines also introduce central narrative stakes for Ray's character.

He'd built that into himself—that discipline, that strength.
-- Narrator (chapter 4)

Importance: In the wake of his violin's theft, Ray struggles to imagine how he...