Setting

The story takes place in a traditional Botswana village in the early 1960s. Botswana, which has been under British colonial rule for almost a century, is on the verge of independence. Tradition and custom, however, still prevail in the village, and the respected residents are those who maintain decorum and adhere to the roles governing society, which include deference to males. Significantly, the women who first greet Life help her put her yard "in order." The scenes of the men and women fixing up Life's yard depict a community celebration, further emphasizing the villagers'willingness to work together for one of their own.

The village is nothing like Johannesburg, South Africa, where Life has spent most of her life. Though the story does not show the city directly, the narration makes it clear that Life's Johannesburg is nothing like the village; instead of working as teachers, farmers, clerks, or...