How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The child was provided for, thanks to a crafty godmother, a defunct aunt of Beale's, who had left her something in such a manner that the parents could appropriate only the income. (Preface.6)
Here, in the preface, we see how important it is to James (and really, all sane people) that children be provided for financially. However, James is making the point (again, it's a totally sane one) that monetary security hardly guarantees emotionally supportive security. The aunt is crafty … but the evil parents still get their grubby little paws on part of Maisie's inheritance.
Quote #2
The child was provided for, but the new arrangement was inevitably confounding to a young intelligence. (I.1)
Here's how James sets up the main conflict in his plot. Over and over again, Maisie has to confront things that confuse her young mind. But by the same token, difficult as they are to face, these things make Maisie even smarter. That's not quite a silver lining, but it's something since it means she's equipped to keep overcoming obstacles.
Quote #3
She puzzled out with imperfect signs, but with a prodigious spirit, that she had been a centre of hatred and a messenger of insult, and that everything was bad because she had been employed to make it so. (II.2)
Here, we see one of the saddest elements of Maisie's situation—she believes that she is the cause of everything that is bad in her life instead of seeing that her parents are total dirtbags. She's young enough to still think her parents are the best people on earth.