A syllabus completed! A manuscript accepted! An issue of the Slavic Review with their peer-reviewed article in it! Oh, how I hated all of them.
-- Andrei (narration) (Part 1, Chapter 4)

Importance: One of Andrei's main insecurities is that, although he has completed a PhD in Russian literature, he has thus far been unsuccessful in receiving any stable work in academia. Meanwhile, his former classmates have been making notable professional strides. Andrei cannot help but feel anxious that he might never reach his own professional/academic aspirations.

I don’t think you’re cut out for this…For Russia.
-- Elena (Part 1, Chapter 5)

Importance: This rather blunt statement is made to Andrei by a woman towards whom he made an unsuccessful romantic advance. In this line of dialogue, the woman articulates a central tension of the story. Namely, it is unclear whether Andrei will be able to adapt to life in Russia. Even by the end of the novel, the degree to...