7
votes
Accepted
Did the Friends of Narnia die at Harrow and Wealdstone?
Two train crashes are often cited as the inspiration for the crash described in The Last Battle. One, as mentioned in the question, is the Harrow and Wealdstone disaster of 1952, and the other is the ...
- 6,125
4
votes
Where is the story "Cages" set?
Even if we can't have a definitive solution, I believe we can find a plausible candidate.
As the OP mentioned, various pieces of evidence are scattered through the story. Possibly the most significant ...
- 6,125
4
votes
Is there a term for an item in a period piece that is used as a stand in for a more modern equivalent?
They're just anachronisms, though ones that are intentionally created for humorous effect. See e.g. this article:
Intentional Anachronism
Some literature or movies might intentionally create an ...
- 931
3
votes
When is "Mr Pottermack's Oversight" set?
It seems to me that the whole story is set before WWI, considering how easy it was to find domestic servants, and how apparently affordable having them was. Mr. Pottermack has two - a housekeeper ...
- 31
3
votes
What is the significance of the ending of this short story "In the Wheels"?
I think there are a few things going on.
There are hints earlier in the story that Sara and Joseph have a connection. They are close to the same age; she keeps his secrets; she brings him food and ...
- 166
2
votes
What kind of weapon destroyed Laila's home in A Thousand Splendid Suns?
Laila’s house was destroyed in summer 1992, when “there was heavy fighting in West Kabul between the Pashtun forces of the warlord Sayyaf and the Hazaras of the Wahdat faction.” This was at the start ...
- 49.9k
2
votes
Was the island in Shakespeare's play "The Tempest" inspired by any real islands?
The Tempest is one of those rare Shakespeare plays whose plot is not based on a known source. However, in Act 1, scene 2 Ariel says to Prospero:
Thou call'dst me up at midnight to fetch dew
From the ...
- 43.6k
2
votes
Where/what is "C" in Annie Ernaux's short story "Returns"
The next rail stop from Motteville is Yvetot, which has a street called Rue Carnot, which is mentioned in the story. Although it does not lead from the station to the centre of town.
Ernaux grew up in ...
- 17.6k
1
vote
Does "Landor's Cottage" have a real-life match?
To answer part of the question, I know nothing about the possible sources for an idealized cottage, but am interested in fabulous mansions and palaces, so I have something to say about the source of ...
- 237
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