Setting

In this section of the guide, we discuss the setting of “Her Share of Sorrow” by Tessa Hadley.

Time setting

The short story was written and published in 2015, so it is very likely for the time setting...

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Physical setting

The physical setting contains two main elements: Ruby’s home (probably somewhere in England, as the author is British) and the holiday home in France. In her home, Ruby does not find any interesting activity to do and simply lingers in her room, in front of the computer screen.

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Social setting

The social setting is very important, as it reveals the way in which some families can suffer because of lack of communication and a dysfunctional relationship. Note that, although Dalia is a psychotherapist, she simply ignores her daughter’s issues. Ruby is stress eating and may have an eating disorder, yet Dalia does not offer this element much importance. She is sure that because she has read “all the right guides to parenting” (l. 12), she cannot overlook what is really important. Ironically, she ignores Ruby when she is most needy, does not spend time with her, mocks her passions and ignores her eating disorder. All these elements can have disastrous negative consequences for a young girl, but Dalia does not seem to think things through.

An important element of the social setting is the relationship between father and children.

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