Setting

Time and physical setting

The short story “This Is All Mostly True” by Kathy Stevens was published in 2017, and it is meant to be read as contemporary to the time of publishing. This is indicated, for example, by the reference to the film Shaun of the Dead (l. 145), which was released in 2004.

The action happens over the course of a couple of hours in the evening. This is suggested by the fact that both Stacie and Elsie’s mother have left: “Stacie left three hours ago, before Mum.”(l. 125). It also rains for a short period of time.

Elsie also references a fictional time and place, as she imagines different scenarios for a story: “As I go inside, I linger for a moment at the back door. One foot on the concrete step, one on the lino inside. The rain has stopped already (…) The scene takes place in the fictive present (me on the step)” (ll. 108-113). The quote about Elsie being with one foot outside and with the other inside could be interpreted to suggest her confusion at the contrast between truth and lies. The contrast and thin line between lies and truth is also suggested by her father breaking the rule of no smoking in the house: “Dad’s having a fag out of the open front door. This is technically breaking a house rule, because he’s smoking and his feet are on the carpet.” (ll. 56-57). 

Elsie makes repeated references to the rain: “It’s raining” (l. 37); “The rain has stopped already (…) Everything smells of petrichor” (ll. 109-111...