United States of America, late 1950s to early 1960s

Elizabeth struggles to make her way in male-dominated America during the 50s and 60s. She does her best to fight against the gender stereotypes which dictate how she should look, act, and think. In many ways, Elizabeth is restricted by the discrimination she faces. For instance, Elizabeth’s rejection of religion and marriage makes her persecuted on the show.

Commons, California

Right off the bat, Garnus expounds on the ordinariness of Commons: “It was there, in the Southern Californian town of Commons, where the weather was mostly warm, but not too warm, and the sky was mostly blue, but not too blue, and the air was clean because air just was back then, that she lay in her bed, eyes closed, and waited” (8). This vague description conveys the sense of normalcy and conventionality that oppresses Elizabeth, who is indeed extraordinary...