New York City

The novel unfurls almost entirely against the backdrop of New York City, which is significant because of the contrast between the city's bustling atmosphere and the broadly reclusive lives that the novel's characters tend to lead. Each of them, in one way or another, struggles with a feeling of having been forgotten, a state of affairs that is exacerbated by the fact that they live in a place where things always seem to be happening. Furthermore, since many of the characters are wary of change and tend to be rooted in their habits, the outside setting of New York City contributes to the paralysis that they feel in their lives; things are so high-octane and overwhelming that many of them prefer to remain removed from the world. Thus, the city shapes its characters as they struggle through their various afflictions.

Edith's Apartment Building

The apartment building...