how did the setting time and place affect the charcters

The novel is set in a circus in an unnamed town off a local highway. The circus is part of a stationary show that includes a mall and arcade. It is clearly an attempt to make money with a unique type of business. However, the business is not doing well and this causes the owner, Mack, to buy another unfortunate animal to entertain is non-existent customers.

The setting of this novel is interesting for several reasons. The setting is a circus, but it does not travel, therefore there are no trains or trucks for the animals to travel in. The setting is also a small, privately owned business that has little oversight, allowing the animals to be treated as the owner dictates. It is a business that is both unique for visitors, but potentially dangerous to the animals. It is an unusual setting, but it fits well with the plot of the novel.