Setting

The short story “Tobias” is set in Michigan, USA in an indefinite time setting. The references to singer Carlos Montoya or the fact that it was hard to find a job in Michigan suggests that the events might take place sometime in the 1990s or even during the economic crisis of 2008. The main event takes place in October (p. 1, l. 9)

The physical setting is Miriam’s apartment, in which the narrator spends most of his time after he has given up looking for a job: “The apartment faced south and had a good view, and all through September Tobias basked in the sun, refusing to think.” (p. 1, ll. 7-8)

Social setting

However, the story is more concerned with the social setting which focuses on the way unemployment affects individuals and couples.

First of all, the social setting suggests an unfavorable...