Glancing sideways at a white woman was near enough to get Negroes lynched in Tulsa. Shot, even, in the middle of Main Street at non, and with no more consequence than a wink and a nudge and a slap on the back.
-- William (Part I: Chapter 2, “William” )

Importance: William and his friend Cletus are in a speakeasy when a black man sits down with Addie, the woman William has a crush on. William goes on to talk about the hate he feels for this man. This is an example of the foreshadowing that takes place in the early chapters of the novel, before the reader fully understands what is taking place.

It never did cross my narrow little mind that I should worry about Clarence Banks, or be bothered by the fact that I'd just unleashed the full force and fury of Tulsa's crooked police element on a Negro. And an innocent one, to boot.”
-- William (Part I: Chapter 4, “William” )

Importance: William...