Setting

Physical setting

The story “Good Girl” by Marita Conlon-McKenna takes place in a town in Northern Ireland, as suggested by the reference to Wellworth’s, a supermarket chain in Northern Ireland, which operated until 1997. This also places the time setting sometime in the 1990s, as also suggested by Anna mentioning politicians signing peace treaties, and the IRA and Loyalists talking about ceasefires (p. 69, ll. 37-40). 

Anna’s mention of the ongoing conflicts in the North creates a tense atmosphere in the story from its beginning. This suggests the story takes place towards the end of the period known as The Troubles which started in 1960s and continued up to 1998 (when the Good Friday Agreement was signed). Anna’s reference to politicians signing peace agreements may refer to the Downing Street Declaration which was signed in 1993, which among other things proposed that there must be a permanent end to paramilitary violence. 

Social setting

The social setting explores issues such as political differences and how they can lead to violence, as well as family...