To give a true account of what passes within us, something else is necessary besides sincerity.
-- Epigraph: George Eliot (Epigraph)

Importance: This quote by George Eliot which the author chose to use as the epigraph for the novel is the most important quote of all because it demonstrates the point that the author is making. Adelman means to prove that It is not enough to be sincere in your motives to arrive at self-awareness; you need to not only consider the needs of others and their welfare, but step outside of yourself to do so. Nate is sincere in trying to understand why he has failed at relationships, but he also rationalizes away his own faults. In the end, he never really reaches true self-awareness to satisfaction. He ends up resigned to his fate.

You could have at least---
-- Juliet (chapter 1)

Importance: Juliet says this to Nate when she confronts him on the street in Chapter 1. It is...