England

This is the country in which the narrative is set, a country which, historically, went through extensive and profound social, political, and economic transformations over the period of time over which the story takes place (see "Style - Setting").

London

England's capital city is the setting for the novel's early scenes, in which Harriet and David meet, court, and marry. It is portrayed as someplace that they, at least, want to escape from - its busyness, crowdedness, violence, and noise.

David and Harriet's House

When they begin planning their lives together, David and Harriet envision having a large family in a house big enough to accommodate not only their children but friends and relatives coming to visit. They find such a house a relatively short distance from London, and for a while use it as the basis for building their dream. When that dream, as the result...