As Karl Rossmann, a poor boy of sixteen who had been packed off to America by his parents because a servant girl had seduced him and got herself a child by him, stood on the [ship] slowly entering the harbour of New York…
-- Narration (chapter 1)

Importance: This line of narration appears at the very beginning of the novel. These lines help to summarize the significant events that have taken place just before the beginning of the narrative. Namely, Karl's parents disowned him after he had a child by a servant. Similar dynamics of abandonment and displacement recur throughout the novel.

…you bring a mouthpiece with you to reel off the absurd grievances you’ve drilled into him, a boy I’ve never even seen on the ship before!
-- Captain (chapter 1)

Importance: In the opening chapter, Karl attempts to plead the case of a ship stoker, who raises grievances against the ship's management. however, as evidenced by...