There are as many sides to a story as people telling the story.
-- James St. John (Chapter 1)

Importance: James St. John says this about Kitty's life. This is relevant to the book as the characters have to determine whose stories they tell and whose they keep a secret. Different characters have different perspectives on what happens in life.

Fame begot privilege, but you traded it for freedom.
-- Narrator (Chapter 6)

Importance: Elise's ancestors fought for their freedom and fought for the freedom for their descendants to prosper in ways that Elise has. Still, Elise finds herself lacking in freedom because of that very success. The only character who is ever really considered to have real freedom is Nathan as he is a rich, powerful white man.

She acted like it was her right not to be what the world said she was.
-- Narrator (Chapter 9)

Importance: These words are said about Lillian and how she acts in Charlotte. Ultimately, this is what Lillian...