Monticello

Monticello, the estate and historical home of Thomas Jefferson, serves as the main setting for the story “My Monticello” (62), in which a group of people form a small community on the grounds. The presence of Monticello allows for exploration of the ancestry of protagonist Da’Naisha Love, a descendant of Sally Hemings who was enslaved by Jefferson and bore several of his children. It also allows for a comparison between the individualistic political beliefs espoused by Jefferson and the other Founding Fathers and the principles of mutual care practiced by the group.

Alexandria, Virginia

The city of Alexandria, Virginia is the setting for “The King of Xandria” (46), a story in which a Nigerian immigrant and single father, Mr. Attah, attempts to adjust to life in America while grappling with the feeling that he is no longer useful to his children. Mr. Attah refers to Alexandria as Xandria because...