New York

New York City in the early twentieth century is the overarching setting for all of the action of the novel. The factual history of New York itself (most notably the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and the Dreamland fire on Coney Island) is intricately connected with the fictional lives of the characters and the fate of the city is reflected in the various fates of the characters. As the city became more urban and more industrialized, people like Beck the hermit were forced out of the city, no longer belonging. But with urbanization came the community spirit of the labor movement which pulls Eddie back into the city and indirectly leads to his relationship with Coralie.

Coney Island

Coney Island is the location most strongly associated with Coralie. Coney Island is her home and for much of her childhood it is the only place that Coralie has ever...