Setting

Physical setting

In the short story “A Gap of Sky” by Anna Hope, the physical setting is represented by the city of London, where Ellie lives.

Several areas of the city are described in the story. For example, Ellie recalls waking up in a house “near Spitalfields” (l. 19) and “getting the tube” (l. 25) home. She crosses “Tottenham Court Road” (l. 44), goes to the student shop, then walks on towards Russel Square (l. 59) and eventually enters the “British Museum” (l. 74). Later on, she goes to “Shaftesbury Avenue” (l. 91), to “Covent Garden” (l. 94) and to “Trafalgar Square” (l. 122). She also mentions going to the River Thames (l. 126). All the areas of London that are mentioned in the story give readers a better idea of the city setting. If readers are familiar with London, then the detailed descriptions will make it easier for readers to imagine the setting. Furthermore, the ease with which Ellie walks from one place to another suggests that she feels at home in London, even though she is not originally from there.

London is also represented by the metropolitan society that inhabits the city. The streets and the people all have an impact on Ellie and affect her mood. For example, the city offers Ellie the chance to relax and engage in a rebellious lifestyle after dark (ll. 17-20). During the daytime, being among busy people also gives her a sense of belong...