Wasn't it in evil alone that you could breathe fearlessly, accepting the air and your lungs? Not even pleasure would give me as much pleasure as evil, she thought surprised. She felt a perfect animal inside her, full of contradictions, of selfishness and vitality.
-- Narration (Joana's Day)

Importance: This early description of Joana as an adult establishes two of the prominent themes of her character: the question of evil and good, and also comparisons to animals. While the "perfect animal" inside of her is not given a name at this time, Joana will be compared to many different specific animals over the course of the novel, most prominently a viper and a horse. The "contradictions" that Joana feels inside of her are also thematically relevant, as her thoughts about evil and good, pleasure and pain are usually tightly correlated to one another.

I'd like to know: once you're happy what happens? What comes next...
-- Joana (The Mother)