Setting

Time setting

The short story “What Anton Learns in the Queue” by Janis Freegard was published in 2014. The short story is probably meant to be read as contemporary to the time when it was written. This is suggested, for example, by the reference to a music festival and to the existence of two-dollar shops (l. 119), as this type of store – first opened in the mid-nineties – is popular in New Zealand.

Physical setting

The events in the short story take place during one afternoon. They begin at 3:11 PM (l. 1), when Anton joins the queue for the two portable toilets (l. 3) at a music event called “Music in the Park” (l. 4). The place and the event are family-friendly – this is suggested by the children “running about, clambering up trees and dancing in front of the stage” (ll. 40-41). It is most likely summer – the children are tanned and wear sun-block (l. 41).

While Anton stands in the queue, the sky becomes cloudy (ll. 49-50), and it later starts to rain (l. 99).

At the end of the story, the scent of the wet grass reminds Anton of the time ...