Student Question
Where is "The Fur Coat" set?
Quick answer:
"The Fur Coat" is set in Ireland, likely in Dublin, as it involves a character, Paddy Maguire, who has a government position. The immediate setting is the couple's home, specifically their living room, where most of the story unfolds through a conversation between Paddy and his wife, Molly. The home is modestly furnished, reflecting their previous financial struggles before Paddy's recent job promotion.
In the short story "The Fur Coat" by Sean O'Faolain, a man named Paddy Maguire has just been promoted, and his wife Molly asks him for a fur coat. The larger setting of the story is Ireland. In fact, the writer's original name was John Francis Whelan, but he changed it to Sean O'Faolain to express pride in his Irish Gaelic heritage. Because Paddy has become the Parliamentary-Secretary to the Minister for Roads and Railways, which is a government position, we can guess that Paddy and Molly probably live in Dublin, the capital and largest city in Ireland.
The immediate setting of the story is the couple's home. Most of the story consists of a conversation between the husband and wife while Paddy works on his drawings and Molly knits, so they are probably sitting in their living room. There's a fire going and a table that Paddy is working at. Because Paddy has just got the job and until then they have been poor, we can assume that the furnishings around them are humble and old.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.