Setting

The physical setting of Raymond Carver’s short story “Gazebo” is a suite from Duane and Holly’s motel. The motel is most likely in a city in the United States. This can be concluded from Duane’s description of what is happening outside the suite: “Two cars with out-of-state plates are parked in front of the office.” Only cars from the US have state plates. The main action takes place on Sunday. Duane and Holly go to the suite in the morning, and their argument takes place in the afternoon, after the two of them make love.

When Duane and Holly take over as managers of the motel they keep the place clean and well-ordered. Duane, for example, “mowed the grass and cut weeds, kept the swimming pool clean, did the small repairs.” This is a clear contrast to the state ...