Setting

Physical setting

“The Rejection” by Woody Allen was published in 2007, and the action is probably meant to be read as contemporary to the time of publishing. This is suggested, for example, by the mention of the investment bank and brokerage firm Bear Stearns (p. 139, l. 9), which failed in 2008 during the Great Recession. 

The events probably happen over a few weeks. The action takes place in various locations in Manhattan, New York’s wealthiest neighborhood. 

The nursery school is on the Upper East Side (p. 140, l. 25), which is generally considered the wealthiest area of Manhattan. The story mentions other real locations, such as the Le Cirque restaurant (p. 141, ll. 4-5). The waiters’ rudeness ” (p. 141, ll. 19-21) is contrasted with the supposed sophistication of Le Cirque, helping the author highlight the shallowness of such places, where social status is generally considered the most important thing.

The story also mentions Amagansett (p. 141, l. 23), a village which is part of the Hamptons, a popular getaway for New York’s upper class, and Mar-A-Lago (p. 141, l. 40), a luxury resort in Florida. Anna growing up in Amagansett (p. 141, ll. 24-25) suggests that she comes from a wealthy family. The detail...