He’d accepted long ago that some people, no matter how good their heart was or how much love they had to give, would always be alone. It was their lot in life, and Linus had figured out, at the age of twenty-seven, that it seemed to be that way for him.
-- Narrator (Chapter 2)

Importance: This quote explains Linus’ mindset at the start of the novel. Linus submits to what he feels to be his fate in life: never-ending loneliness. This downcast way of looking at the world serves as a starting point for the positive character growth that Linus undergoes throughout the course of the novel.

Sometimes our prejudices color our thoughts when we least expect them to. If we can recognize that, and learn from it, we can become better people.”
-- Arthur (Chapter 6)

Importance: This quote follows Zoe’s confession of being prejudiced against Arthur when he first arrived. Clearly, Arthur’s advice applies...