The Old Folks' Home

The Old Folks' Home where the book opens with Allan escaping the window and running away to avoid his 100th birthday is represented as a confining, prison-like institutional setting. Allan can't stand the officious director, Alice, and the way she insists on keeping everyone who is a resident in the Old Folks' Home in line and part of a very dehumanizing atmosphere. This is why Allan is willing to risk what is left of his life to escape from the facility, as he feels it is better to be on one's own in the world than restricted in a home that makes one feel less-than-human for being there.

Lake Farm

Lake Farm is the Swedish farm owned by the Beauty. It is remote and near a lake front. In fact, the lake is where the Beauty finds Sonya the Elephant when Sonya escapes from her...