Setting

“Pretending to Know the Words” by Helen Cooper is set in the United Kingdom and spans over about 24 hours. The exact date of the events is not mentioned, but we can assume the story is meant to be set in a contemporary realistic setting.

Physical setting

Luis’ house is described using pathetic fallacy. This means that it reflects the character’s feelings (in this case, depression and anxiety): “Luis had not moved in a while. He was slumped on a wide leather sofa, gazing at his reflection in a blank plasma screen.” (ll. 1-2); “I am a speck in this shiny house. And it hates me for being ungrateful. He jolted as he realised he was about to hit the floor. The slippery sofa was rejecting him, sliding him off.”  (ll. 5-7)

The football pitch is mostly described in terms of atmosphere; it conveys the typical, emotion-filled atmosphere during a match:

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Social setting

The sequences describing the football match and the after-party illustrate the competitive spirit of football players and the fame and wealth that come with being a successful footballer. The team parties with beautiful girls, in expensive places where everybody knows who they are. Also, thanks to football, Luis was able to become wealthy and rich although he comes from a relatively poor South American country.

The references to Luis thinking about calling his mother, suggest how living in another country affects family relationships. Luis has not called his mother in a long time and feels the pressure of the distance between them.

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