Setting

The physical setting of the short story “Beautiful Things” by Kate Vine consists of the houses that the estate agent shows the narrator and Tom. The houses are important because they symbolize some of the key developments in the story, especially in the relationship between the main characters. 

The first house, which is rather shabby, appeals to Tom, who sees its potential: “ ‘This place has great potential. We couldn’t afford something this size if it wasn’t a bit’ – he peers around and sniffs, – ‘shabby.’ ” (ll. 11-12). The narrator, on the other hand, is overwhelmed by how much work the house needs: 

The first house is comically grim. There is mould in the corners of the ceiling; flies bounce from surface to surface of the narrow kitchen. We would become stuck, Tom and I, between the two grey counters, as I chop...