Setting

Physical setting

The story “Farida’s Eyes” by Leila Aboulela takes place in modern times, as shown by the reference to television, air travel, and Dior dresses. As Sister Carlotta reads to the children from the novel Flowers for Mrs. Harris, which was published in 1958, we can conclude that the story takes place sometime between 1958 and the year when the story was published (around 2015).

The physical setting is not explicitly mentioned. The story could take place in a European country where Farida’s family are living as immigrants, as they are non-European (ll. 155-156). On the other hand, it could also be set somewhere else, for example in Sudan as there are many Catholic schools there.

The story takes place at a Catholic all-girls school, run by nuns. Farida's classroom, and especially her seat, is also an important part of the physical setting. Farida's poor eyesight prevents her from seeing the blackboard when she is sitting in the back. Therefore, Farida suffers the restrictions imposed on her by her strict teachers.

Other parts are set at Farida’s house and at the free clinic where Farida gets her glasses. Farida’s home becomes a place of terror for h...