...(his rifle) made me feel as though I was maker of my own fate.
-- Ondrej (Section 1 paragraph 2)

Importance: The rifle is the beginning of how Ondrej teaches the boys to shoot. The rifle is also very valuable. The fact that Ondrej says this is key because much of the story is focused on controlling one's fate, or trying to mold destiny to one's will.

Anything but the son of a shepherd, because shepherd was all that my father—once he returned to Pastivnia—wanted to be, and I wanted to become what he was not.
-- Josef (Section 1 paragraph 3)

Importance: Josef's character is so highly molded by Ondrej, and it is the sentiment in this quote that leads him to join the war. However, at the end of the war he finds that his most heartfelt wish is to see his father again.

The waiting and silence that came with shepherding and shooting both seemed to appeal to a...
-- Josef (Section 3 paragraph 2)