Setting

Physical setting

The physical setting of the short story “Terminal” by Nadine Gordimer is the couple’s house and the hospital. 

The beginning of the story shows that the couple’s home before the illness – particularly the bedroom they shared – symbolizes their love and trust. The husband and wife are shown enjoying “lovely weekend mornings in bed” (p. 142, ll. 6-7), talking about different issues, and laughing together. However, after the surgery, the woman leaves “their shared bedroom” (p. 142, l. 26) to another room. This way, she willingly isolates herself from her husband and deals with her pain alone. While living in their home continues as it did before, the couple avoids talking about what matters. 

Part of the events take place in the hospital. There,...