Thus far I have lived my life with courage, and I hope to die that way, bravely and without lies. But for that to be, I must speak out. I killed Emerence. The fact that I was trying to save her rather than destroy her changes nothing.
-- Narrator (The Door)

Importance: This sentence in the opening chapter of the novel grabs the reader’s attention with its foreshadowing that the narrator believes she is responsible for Emerence’s death. It gives the reader an idea about the problem with which the book will deal. This foreshadowing is important because a large portion of the book is devoted to the development of Emerence’s character before the real conflict is identified.

I stared after her as she calmly strolled away, and there was a moment when I dallied with the thought that the old woman was so odd it might be better for all concerned...
-- Narrator (The Contract)