Chicago, 1910

The entirety of The Davenports is set in Chicago, Illinois, in 1910. Throughout the narrative, Olivia visits the South Side to participate in community meeting and rallies with other activists. At the turn of the century, Black Americans migrated to northern cities like Chicago to avoid the discrimination in the South and pursue new opportunities. Marquis includes allusions to the Springfield race riot in 1908 to illustrate the racial violence that the community continues to face despite recent progress.

Freeport Manor

Freeport Manor is the Davenport family home in Chicago. Throughout the narrative, the Davenport siblings sneak about the manor, secretly pursuing their love interests and hobbies, that abrade their parents’ expectations. Freeport Manor is the setting for John and Amy-Rose’s first kiss and Helen’s secret work in the garage. The author utilizes the grandeur of the mansion to illustrate the Davenport’s elite social standing at a...