There was also a road heading north, which had a brief but real sidewalk and several houses close together, as if they were in town.
-- Narrator (N/A)

Importance: This quotation appears early in the story and helps to establish the rural setting of the narrator's childhood. The humble, rural origins of both the narrator and her parents are integral to understanding their worldviews and their formations as characters.

The wages of sin is death.
-- Minister (N/A)

Importance: The local minister quotes this line of scripture during the funeral of Diane's mother, as Diane's mother was a prostitute. The narrator's mother approved of this decision by the minister, thus showcasing her personal sense of sanctimoniousness.

He does not have any further part in what I’m writing now…because this is not a story, only life.
-- Narrator (N/A)

Importance: This is the first line in the story in which the narrator asserts the truthful nature of the story. The story...