Setting

Physical setting

Souvankham Thammavongsa’s short story “Edge of the World” takes place in an English-speaking country, which is probably Canada since the author came to that country as an immigrant herself. This setting represents the new life which the narrator’s parents are trying to adapt to. 

The South Asian country Laos is where the narrator’s parents come from. The parents feel isolated from their country, as they do not get a lot of news from there. Particularly the mother is struggling. 

The enormous distance both physically and culturally between the two settings help underline how difficult it is to be an immigrant.

Social setting

The social setting explores cultural differences and immigrant life. 

The narrator mentions that she and her family “were invi...