Iris didn't work. 'There are women who suffer the embarrassment of leisure and those who master it,' she said. 'Doing nothing is an art.
-- Iris (chapter 1)

Importance: Iris has chosen to marry a wealthy man and live a life of leisure. She is the mistress of her home, has only one child to worry about and spends her time in luxurious comfort, which she is completely happy to do. She is not bored by not having any serious vocation or work to complete. While other woman may become bored, she is perfectly content.

Open your eyes, Mom! Look at how you dress. What your hair looks like! You've let yourself go. It's no surprise he went looking elsewhere! You need to leave the Middle Ages and come live in this century.
-- Hortense (chapter 1)

Importance: Hortense is expressing her disdain for how her mother presents herself. She has been aware that her father was having...