Class distinction is apparent in Naylor's novel in the contrast between the people who live in the backwoods hills and those who live in Millville, home of a junior college and a new auditorium for the performing arts. Material differences abound. Ellen cooks on a wood stove not a modern one and lives in a "dog-trot" house. She orders her clothes from a catalogue instead of shopping at stores. Her neighbors share a party telephone line and listen in on each others' conversations. The distinction between rural and town dwellers is also in attitude. Lack of travel opportunities and social events causes Ellen to feel unsure of herself when she is away from familiar territory.