defiant(adjective)- showing defiance.

source- https://www.google.com/search?ei=Jv8FW6fqLcLR5gLQqKbgDg&q=defiant+definition&oq=defiant+definition&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i20i263k1j0i7i30k1l4j0i20i263k1j0i7i30k1l4.641512.644891.0.645940.8.8.0.0.0.0.302.1220.0j7j0j1.8.0….0…1.1.64.psy-ab..0.8.1217…0j0i67k1j0i13k1.0.wJIJwcFdb28

On page 82 of Quicksand by Nella Larsen it says , “She felt a sharp stinging sensation and a recurrence of that anger and defiant desire to hurt which had so seared her on that past morning in Naxos”

After learning what the word meant, i think its important because it helps the characteristics of Helga and it gives a better understanding of what Helga is feeling. You get a better understanding of her character.