Setting

“The Parents” by Kelly Cherry is set in the 1980s-1990s, in the United States of America. The geographical setting is not explicit. However, references to a Disney parade (p. 47, ll. 2-5) and the fact that the author is American strongly suggest that the action takes place in the US.

The story of the text, however, spans over a lifetime, from the time children are only babies to the time their parents are old and dying.

Physical setting

The events described happen in various physical places. Elements of the physical setting are the street parade, the car, the home, the funerary shop, the coffin, and the cinema.

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Social setting

The social setting is focused on the relationship between parents and children and generational gaps. The relationship between parents and children is presented as cyclical.

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