He looked left, then right, and the dust popped around him, and I wanted to tell everyone to stop shooting at him, to ask, ‘What kind of men are we?
-- Bartle (Chapter 1 paragraph 65)

Importance: This quote sets up the underlying feeling of the entire novel -- "What kind of men are we?" Bartle, the narrator, has stepped outside of himself here and is surveying the scene as though he isn't a part of it while recognizing his role in it. Shortly after this quote, the man dies and Bartle is certain his bullet is responsible. Throughout the book, Bartle takes responsibility for the tragedies around him, even though he's only one man just trying to get through a difficult situation.When he returns home, Bartle can't let go of this feeling. He's trapped in his own head. He thinks the world has changed and he can't find a way to live in it anymore...