1900s: "The Door in the Wall" is written in a time when the British are concerned with domestic matters. King Edward VII begins his reign following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. In Parliament, the Conservatives are divided on several issues and the general election of 1906 puts the Liberals in power by a significant majority. As the ruling party, the Liberals create Britain's early welfare program. The Labour Party is formed during this time as well, with 29 original members.

1997: In May, after eighteen years of Conservative rule, the Labour Party wins the majority of seats in the House of Commons, and the Party's leader, Tony Blair, becomes Britain's youngest prime minister since 1812. The Conservatives, or Tones, suffer their worst defeat since 1906. Blair is said to represent a new Britain, a more liberal, multicultural society.

1900s: A prevalent attitude in Britain is one of liberal...