Setting

Physical setting

The short story “The Destructors” by Graham Greene takes place in Wormsley Common, a fictional part of London, England. The time setting is shortly after the Second World War during the summer. Wormsley Common is described as a run-down place where the bombing of the war has destroyed many buildings that had not been rebuilt yet, such as the ones near Mr. Thomas’ house. 

The name Wormsley adds to the idea that this is not a nice place, bringing to mind worms and rotting. When he describes his plan of destroying Mr. Thomas’ house, Trevor says that they will destroy it from the inside, leaving outside appearances intact until the last moment, like worms in an apple. This might suggest that the worms who are infesting Wormsley Common are the boys in the gang. M...