Setting

Physical setting

The events described in the short story “Good Advice Is Rarer Than Rubies” by Salman Rushdie take place in Pakistan. There are several Pakistani cities mentioned in the story: Lahore, Sargodha, or Lalu Khet. The short story also mentions the city of Bradford, England, where Miss Rehana’s fiancé lives. 

An important part of the physical setting is the British Embassy in Pakistan: “On the last Tuesday of the month, the dawn bus brought Miss Rehana to the gates of the British Embassy”. Although it symbolizes hope for the people wishing to get a visa, it also symbolizes hope for Miss Rehana, who wishes to be denied one. 

Another important part of the physical setting is Muhammad Ali’s desk, “in his own special corner of the shanty town”. This is the pl...