Psychic-projection Gretel has been doing this a lot lately. Giving apathetic counsel.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: The narrator says this regarding Gretel's communication with her childhood friend Harriet. Appearing in the first chapter of the novel, the line begins introducing the fantastic rules of the narrative world. It also cues the reader to the deep and transcendent relationship Harriet and Gretel have despite the time and distance that physically separates them. Though Harriet often mentions feeling abandoned by her friend in the chapters to follow, this early narrative moment informs the reader that Gretel has never left Harriet's side and still cares deeply for her friend.

So much for the complete surrender to being unexceptional.
-- Narrator (chapter 2)

Importance: The narrator says this after Harriet suspects that Perdita has been deceived and drugged by a member of the Kercheval family. Though the narrator has not yet revealed the extent of the Kercheval family's role in the Lee women's...