Setting

The short story “The Little Black Dress” by Clifford Thurlow was published in 2000, and we can assume that the events in the story unfold around the time of publishing.

Time setting

When it comes to the time setting, note that the events spread over the course of three days: the day when Vicky first sees the dress; the day when she buys the dress and when she ...

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Physical setting

When it comes to the physical setting, note that the main events take place in London, as the references to “Sloane Square” (l. 18) and “Kensington High Street” (l. 473) indicate:

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Social setting

The social setting mainly refers to couples who are in unhappy relationships and to a lack of communication between spouses. In Vicky’s case, her relationship with Fergus has become tedious and frustrating because the two of them are very different. On the one hand, Fergus is too concerned with his interests and does not pay attention to his wife, apart from to control what she eats and drinks. On the other hand, Vicky does not communicate or share her wishes and intentions and suffers in silence, gathering frustration and anger. In the end, Vicky decides to leave Fergus and search for happiness somewhere else. Note that for Vicky, happiness is not connected with finding another partner, but with finding herself. To be happy and free, Vicky must first understand herself.

Briefly, the social setting touches upon the civil unrest during 1968 and upon the events that led to students rioting against political and economic unfairness in Paris: “Pages of discarded newspapers shift over the floor in the tube. Riots in Paris, ran the headlines. Students on the Rampage.” (ll. 288-289)

When it comes to the 1960s, the story also hints at this decade’s pop culture. When the stranger approaches Vicky in the bar, she notices his “long hair” (l. 324), “embroidered jeans” (l. 323), and “collarless shirt” (l. 324), which are typical elements of the ‘60s.

We also find information about economically developed and developing countries when Vicky refers to Fergus who is usually traveling in poor countries, “surrounded by black people at famines and floods” (ll. 64-65).

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