How we cite our quotes: (Preface if applicable, Paragraph)
Quote #1
During that very first conversation, about the araucaria, he called himself the Steppenwolf, and this too estranged and disturbed me a little. What an expression! However, custom did not only reconcile me to it, but soon I never thought of him by any other name; nor could I today hit on a better description of him. (Preface 35)
Harry has constructed the idea of the Steppenwolf to explain his nature to himself and others; the narrator's reaction (disturbed) shows how it can be a little bit creepy to have someone showing up and claiming to be half-wolf. Let Tyler Lautner be warned.
Quote #2
I am in truth the Steppenwolf that I often call myself; that beast astray who finds neither home nor joy nor nourishment in a world that is strange and incomprehensible to him. (7)
Now we get Harry's own description of the Steppenwolf; he also could have called himself an unfrozen caveman, if you ask us.