Mark and Lauren live in Jerusalem, and people from there think it gives them the right.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: This quote, the second sentence of the story, demonstrates the narrator’s immediate bias against Mark that will shape his commentary throughout the remainder of the story.

Because of that, we’re supposed to call them Shoshana and Yerucham now. Deb’s been doing it. I’m just not saying their names.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: This quote shows both the narrator’s bias in action—choosing not to acknowledge the identities that Mark and Lauren have constructed for themselves—and the power of names as tools to validate or ignore aspects of other people. It also reflects Deb’s greater willingness to compromise and her different experience with Orthodox Judaism.

The Russian immigrants,' he says, 'that’s a whole separate matter. Most of them, you know, not even Jews.
-- Mark (chapter 1)

Importance: Although readers have an intimation of...