And notwithstanding the compatible and sanguine nature of my relationship with my disease, I feel it is my first personal involvement with Indian politics...
-- Lenny (chapter 2)

Importance: In this passage, Lenny has listened to Colonel Bharucha's remarks accusing the British of spreading polio in India and now understands her disease in this greater context. Lenny's remarks highlight her simultaneously astute yet naive youth.

Hindus, Muslims and even the Sikhs are going to jockey for power: and if you jokers jump into the middle you'll be mangled into chutney!"
-- Colonel Bharucha (chapter 5)

Importance: Here, Colonel Bharucha cautions the Parsees against overstepping their limited power and function as a religious minority--particularly in such tense times as the Partition.

She is strong and high-spirited, and it's not easy to break her body... But there are subtler ways of breaking people."
-- Lenny, regarding Papoo (chapter 6)

Importance: In this passage, Lenny describes Papoo. While she admires Papoo's strength, resilience, and defiance of her mother, Lenny also recognizes...