Barnes University

Barnes University is the university that Ingrid attends. It is located in Wittlebury, a fictional town in Massachusetts. Ingrid has attended Barnes since she was an undergraduate student. Because of the relationships she formed with professors, she continued her academic career in this same sphere. In the narrative present, therefore, Ingrid is deeply attached to the Barnes University setting and community as extensions of her identity. She even plans to seek out employment at Barnes following the completion of her doctoral program.

Ingrid ultimately leaves Barnes at the end of the novel without completing her program. Because of her involvement with the John Smith and Xiao-Wen Chou scandal, Ingrid has severed ties with the professes she once respected.

Old Midwife Café

The Old Midwife is a local café in Wittlebury. Throughout the novel, Ingrid frequents the café. She often comes here when she is distracted and needs...