The paper says 'Keep dogs and cats inside on the Fourth of July' but nothing about ex-servicemen. You can't get tanked enough to block the fireworks' whine, their door-bust slam, the rustling shiver as they fail, fissling away.
-- Walker (Part I)

Importance: In this quote, the author alludes to an important theme, Walker's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. These symptoms are frequently initiated by loud noises, and fireworks in particular sound similar to gunfire or bomb explosions. Thus Walker's anxiety escalates on the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. Robertson's description of the fireworks is poetic and descriptive, as "door-bust slam" and "rustling shiver" are examples of onomatopoeia.

Manhattan's the place for re-invention, mobility, anonymity, where everything is possible. It's what I came for. Every city street is a stage - every stage, a staging of desire.
-- Walker (Part I)

Importance: This quote is from Walker's journal, evidenced by the use of the first person and bold...