Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is where the majority of the story takes place. Eileen lives and works in Dublin, and has lived there ever since she attended the University of Dublin and majored in English literature. At university, Eileen becomes roommates with Alice, who moves to New York after earning a book deal but who eventually returns to Dublin after being admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Simon also moves to and from Dublin frequently for work, and at the end of the story both Eileen and Simon are living in the city.

Eileen's Office

The story begins by showing Eileen at work in her office for a literary magazine. Her office is collegial, and she and her colleagues get along both inside and outside of work. Eileen's job is tedious and repetitive, but the story suggests that she still enjoys it despite the fact that it is not a high-level...