He had been called in his early youth and had set out for the city to proclaim the destruction awaiting a world that had abandoned its Savior.
-- Narrator (Part 1, Chapter 1 paragraph 5)

Importance: The narrator here explains Marion in a few words that sums up his existence. Marion believes he is a preacher and prophet, sent to spread the Truth of God and warn of the dangers of turning away from God. This also establishes the city as a source of great evil, and the destiny of Tarwater to follow in the footsteps of his Uncle Marion.

He don’t mean for me to finish up your leavings. He has other things in mind for me.
-- Tarwater (Part 1, Chapter 1 paragraph 14)

Importance: While Marion insists that Tarwater will become a prophet like him, explaining that it is Tarwater's destiny, Tarwater is very skeptical of this. He believes that God either has other things in mind for him, or nothing at all in...