He arrived bundled up in a woolen coat. He put his suitcase down at my feet and pulled off his hat. Western face. Dark eyes. Hair combed to one side. He looked straight through me, without seeing me.
-- Unnamed narrator (chapter 1 paragraph 2)

Importance: These opening lines of the novel establish the halting, brisk cadence that the narrator uses throughout, and introduce a primary character, Yan Kerrand. Kerrand is looking at the narrator without really seeing her, displaying the dismissive attitude the narrator feels he has toward her throughout the majority of the novel. The narrator wants to be seen and accepted by Kerrand, but she also wishes for Kerrand to show her another version of herself.

Kerrand didn't reply. He'd never understand what Sokcho was like. You had to be born here, live through the winters. The smells, the octopus. The isolation.
-- Unnamed narrator (chapter 3 paragraph 13)

Importance: The narrator believes Kerrand cannot understand Sokcho like she can because he is...