His talent is for something else – his grandpa would decry it as a waste of time if he were still alive to hear him sing a tune, and if his ma knew anything about the pocket watch he gave to Harry Wyeth in trade for his guitar, then she would make a bonfire of it in their own backyard."
-- Narration (First Low Water (1))

Importance: This quote highlights Tom’s inherited tension between duty and personal passion. Pop’s practical, utilitarian mindset contrasts with Tom’s musical interests, framing his artistic expression as something frivolous or even morally questionable in the eyes of his family. The reference to both Pop and Lillian emphasizes how Tom’s creativity has been constrained by familial expectations, reinforcing the theme of inherited values versus individual fulfillment. The guitar is a symbol of Tom claiming a private space for his passion, even if it conflicts with the practical or moral codes...