Setting

Physical setting

The physical setting of the short story “Neighbours” by Tim Winton is a neighborhood in Moreton Bay, in North-Eastern Australia. The entire story is limited to the bounds of the neighborhood, and the characters’ lives are not explored outside of this setting.

Most of the action takes place in or around the couple’s house. The house is described as small but with “high ceilings and paned windows” that make it feel like “an elegant cottage”. The house has a study, which the husband uses as his workspace during the day. In the garden, the couple plants several vegetables and builds a chicken coop. The house is near some used-car yards and a park. 

The story takes place over several months and seasons, probably for more thana year ...