America

The United States of America, with both its definitions of success (i.e. generally materialistic) and its perceptions of racial minorities, is the broad-strokes setting for the play. The overall views and perceptions of American culture – “with freedom and justice for all” – are overtly spoken of only rarely, but form a potent and pervasive subtext, primarily when it comes to racial attitudes, throughout the entire piece.

The Upper East Side of Manhattan (New York)

This section of Manhattan is widely regarded as “high end” – expensive dwellings, wealthy homeowners/tenants, upper-level status. For Amir and Emily (most particularly the Muslim Amir), to have a home here indicates not only financial and social position: it also seems to indicate an acceptance, a place in the dominant culture of the time / place / community that many non-whites can only dream of.

2011 – 2012

The time in which the play is set is noteworthy because...