n in a small rural farm town, because the competition to be the best is much greater in the urban areas. The time period in which the story is set, the late 1800’s, is also a crucial part of the puzzle. All throughout the early 1800’s up until the present, big business has been on the rise. When large companies started setting up in cities, people moved to where the jobs were, and soon small towns became gigantic urban metropolises. The big business is what ultimately causes Silas’ moral rise and financial fall, and that is a crucial part of the plot. If the story where set in a different time period it would not have as big an impact. Also during the late 1800’s, social standing was very important. In those days a person was measured by their social standing, so it meant everything. The reason this is important is because, interwoven in the main plot is a secondary plot. This secondary plot has to do with the love triangle between Penelope Lapham, Irene Lapham, and Tom Corey. Everyone seems to think that Tom and Irene are in love with each other, while in actuality it is Tom and Penelope that are in love. This secondary plot only adds to Silas and Mrs. Corey’s inner struggles. If the story where not set in this time period, the social impact on the plot would also not be as great. Another aspect of the setting is the house that they currently live in, and the house they are building to live in. Mrs. Lapham feels that their current house is not good enough for their social standing. Because Silas is now a wealthy entrepreneur, they should be living in the upper class neighborhood. When Silas goes and has the house built, Mrs. Lapham is not impressed with the house, and wishes they could stay in their old neighborhood with their old friends. This causes part of Silas’ decline. It would not have happened in another time period, because in another time period a family would not have to c...
