The first time Anna realized that a language was a compromise shared amongst people - that two people who spoke the same language were not necessarily the same - this was the only time she could remember asking her father a question that he could not manage to answer.
-- Narrator (chapter 1 paragraph 18)

Importance: The quote reflects the state of the world at war and how commonalities are not enough to bridge understanding and peaceful accord.

Anna felt irresistibly that in this tall stranger she had found another of their tribe - a man of many tongues.
-- Narrator (chapter 1 paragraph 128)

Importance: The quote demonstrates how Anna has struggled with understanding what her own language might be because she speaks so many. She connects with the Swallow Man because of his ability to understand most of the ways in which she can communicate.

This is no time for hoping.
-- Swallow Man (chapter 2 paragraph 81)

Importance: The quote illustrates the pessimistic outlook the Swallow Man has...