Point of View

"Rules of Civility" is written primarily from the point of view of Katey Kontent, a twenty-five-year-old woman trying to make her way alone in Manhattan. Katey speaks in the first person, frequently offering her impressions as asides. However, four non-chapters, labeled only by date, are written from the point of view of Tinker Grey, a love interest of Katey. These non-chapters are printed in a different font, setting them off from the rest of the novel. Tinker's words and actions are written in the third person, with no glimpses into his mind.

Setting

"Rules of Civility" takes place in the Manhattan of 1938, when America is recovering from the Great Depression. Manhattan is a melting pot of ethnicities, some newly arrived from other lands, some the sons and daughters of immigrants who came years ago. The main character, Katey Kontent, travels in many different circles, from young...