One saw him frequently at Max’s parties, but even to an observer unblessed with the supernal acuteness of the dreamer, it was obvious he did not belong. He seemed involved in an inner restlessness which neither allowed him to be at ease with himself nor with others.
-- Narration/Dreamer

Importance: At this point identified only as the dreamer, Arthur observes himself at a party during a dream. When he views himself as an objective, outside observer Arthur can see that his behavior is unusual and antisocial, however he is unable to access this same level of self-awareness in waking life and cannot, therefore, use this knowledge to improve his interactions with others.

Subtly, easily, soundlessly, as if he were an intangible atmosphere, he merged with the resting body, became one with it in a sudden and inexplicable chemistry, realized in a brief flash of agony that this was his real identity, that...
-- Narrator