I moved to Chicago, that rough and burly city in the middle of America, that middle knuckle in our national fist…I wanted to be as near the lake as possible, for Lake Michigan is not lake at all but a tremendous inland sea...
-- Protagonist (chapter 1)

Importance: In these opening lines of narration, the novel begins to establish its overall tone and its narrative and thematic focus on Chicago. The wording of these lines utilizes a romanticized tone that is integral to the novel's overall romanticization of daily life. Moreover, this language as applied to Chicago establishes the generally romantic conception that the narrative has of Chicago both as a place and an idea.

…the city was such a magnet for people from all over the world that there were thirteen different languages spoken in our neighborhood.
-- Mr. Pawlowsky (chapter 5)

Importance: Mr. Pawlowsky says this while talking about his childhood in Chicago. Pawlowsky mentions the large number...