The setting is Toronto, Canada, a clean, modern city used to contrast with Detroit, a city whose image is tarnished with reported violent crimes.

"Rape Fantasies" is written in a conversational tone, with the author actually talking to the audience, opening up an ongoing dialogue. The "conversation" is integrated throughout the whole story. Estelle is telling her story out loud, making comments that ask for agreement and understanding. The opening paragraph asks a question, "I mean, what's so new about it?" When Estelle comments on the fact that Greta didn't actually live in Detroit, she suggests that what counts is not where you work, but where you sleep, and then asks "right?" Estelle continually adds commentary for the benefit of her audience. After she sprayed her would-be-rapist in the eyes with the lemon juice that he had so politely opened, she says, "I hope you...