New York City, 1917 – 1921

A large portion of the story takes place between 1917 and 1921, and most of the story takes place in New York. New York is an exemplar of affluent society, so this setting complements Anson’s character perfectly, since Anson places great importance on building his social circle in affluent communities. From 1917 to 1921, Anson is enlisted in the army, graduates from university, and meets and starts a relationship with Paula Legendre.

New York City, 1922 onwards

The remainder of the story takes place from 1922 onwards. Anson goes from his late twenties to just past thirty years old in this setting. This setting and time period is pivotal for the story, because it demonstrates Anson’s growing concerns about ageing. Moreover, it shows Anson’s frustration at the fact that his friends are all getting married, and his fear of loneliness builds and strengthens.

The Country

Throughout the story, Anson...