The Womb

The womb is the most prominent setting throughout the story. The womb is a type of filter through which the narrator makes his observations and inferences. It also seems to be a sort of other world compared to the outside world. In the womb, the narrator is able to ponder the meaning of life and life’s other various mysteries. During the final chapter of the book, the narrator finally breaks Trudy’s water and escapes the womb.

The Cairncross Home

The Cairncross home is John’s childhood home and the home where Trudy and Claude live throughout the novel. Even though Claude and Trudy intend on selling the house once the murder has been committed, they let it fall to ruin, in somewhat of a protest against John. The home represents a kind of kingdom that Claude gains from John, like Claudius gained the throne from...