How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
There are so few people to do the picking. So few people to do anything. And those of us who are left walk around as if we're half asleep. We are all so tired. (1.1.2)
Something has gone down in the village of Eyam. But what? A mass exodus? A widespread bout of food poisoning? A zombie infestation? That last one might actually be closest to the truth: the village has been decimated by the plague. As we'll see over the course of this section, this tragedy has had a profound effect on the community.
Quote #2
And we all—the whole parish—benefited from her barrenness, as she [...] [made] herself indispensable in any number of ways to all kinds and classes of people. (2.2.49)
Both Mompellions are important to the community, but Elinor is particularly beloved. As Anna implies here, Elinor serves as a mother to the whole community by providing guidance and helping those in need. That's definitely true in her relationship with Anna. Elinor is Anna's best friend, mom, and teacher, all in one tidy package.
Quote #3
Pale and hushed, we took our appointed places, the grieving and the guilty. (2.6.5)
The lynching of Anys is a big turning point for the community of Eyam. The perpetrators feel a great deal of shame for their irrational actions, while the rest of the town is just scared. Things will only get worse from here.