Setting

Here, you can read useful information regarding the setting of “Don’t You Hate Having Two Heads?” by Christine Poulson.

Time setting

The short story was published in 2006, so we can assume that the events in the text are contemporary with the time of publishing. Also, note that the time setting indicates that the action spans over the course of two days, from the morning when Richard first sees Jessica to the evening of the second day,...

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Physical setting

The wider physical setting of the story is the city of Venice, Italy, while the main events revolve around the Guggenheim Museum, the museum shop, the café, and the hotel Richard is staying. Note that a great deal of attention is given to three important works of art:

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Social setting

When it comes to the social setting, the story touches upon different aspects. First, the story reveals that often married people are tempted to be unfaithful. In Richard’s case, he thinks about pursuing an affair with Jessica, although he clearly loves and appreciates his wife:

He wasn’t going to tell her that for a crazy half-hour he had contemplated taking it further. She might guess, but she wouldn’t ask. She wasn’t one of those tedious women who insist on having everything out in the open. (p. 17, ll. 6-9)

Secondly, the story is partly based on the way in which Richard presumes that picking up a date is easy once in an intellectual place (although the end of the story reveals that this idea may have come from his wife).

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