This document summarizes key details about the setting and social context in the novel by Vivien Alcock. It takes place in early 20th century England based on references to typewriters and technology. The main settings are Belmont Secretarial College, the small office of Ross and Bannister, and Lucy Beck's home. Socially, Lucy faces doubt and judgement from her community but finds loyalty among long-time employees at the office like Harry Darke and Miss Broome. The summary traces Lucy's first few days on the new job from Monday to Wednesday to establish the historical time of the story.

1. Nor Atmam Nazihah Binti Mohamad Nor (D20091034398)
Anis Zulaikha Binti Basrah (D20091034413)
Hamizah Binti Mohd Azman (D20091034427)
Nor Sahbillah Binti Maswan (D20091034428)
Siti Nor Effadila Binti Su‘aif (D20091034450)
Literature for Young Adults (BIS 3093)
Lecturer: Prof Madya Dr. Abdul Ghani Abu
by Vivien Alcock
SETTING

2. PLACE SETTING
• Belmont Secretarial College
The place where Lucy gets her diploma.
Mrs. Price gives advices to her departing
students (page 9)
• Ross and Bannister’s
A small firm with a factory outside the town.
Lucy goes to an interview conducted by Mr. Ross
and is offered a job (page 10)
• The office
Lucy’s workplace.
Lucy encounters Miss Broome while typing a
letter (page 16)

3. PLACE SETTING
• Lucy’s house
The kitchen.
Lucy tells her mother about the job
she gets (page 11)
Lucy has a conversation with Uncle
Bert during supper (page 26)
• Cemetery
Lucy visits Mr. Bannister’s grave.
She tells Miss Broome that she left
some flowers on her grave (page 28)

4. SOCIAL SETTING
• Judgemental community members
– Harry Darke
• He addresses Lucy with different insulting names
• His words are mostly annoyances to Lucy
– Brooms, fly, frightened mouse
– “I’m used to electric typewriters,” Lucy said coldly.
She was beginning to be annoyed.
– The Principal of the Belmont Secretarial
College
• She doubts of Lucy’s ability to get a job after her
studies.
– When she came to the last student, her confidence
suddenly evaporated. She looked at Lucy Beck and
sighed.

5. SOCIAL SETTING
Loyal employees
 Harry Darke
- “I’m Harry Darke, thirty years with Ross
and Bannister’s, retired with a silver watch
and now come back to haunt the place.
Can’t keep away, you see,” (pg. 12)
 Ms. Broome
-“This place was her home,
this job was all she lived for,”
(pg. 25)

6. Competitive job seekers
– Lucy and the college graduates
“Trouble was that there were hundreds
after every vacancy, brighter than Lucy,”
(pg. 10)
SOCIAL SETTING
Lower class community members
– Lucy’s family
“She was tired of being poor,” (pg. 9)

7. TIME
We need to consider four kinds of time that may carry particular
associations with them:
 Clock time: this can be used to provide suspense or create certain
moods or feelings.
 Calendar time: the day, month, year, or more generally a day of the
week or time of the month may provide an understanding of what takes
place in a piece of literature.
 Seasonal time: the seasons or a span of time associated with a
particular activity may be important.
 Historical time: this can establish a psychological or sociological
understanding of behaviors and attitudes.

8. TIME
Early 20th century.
• Office work was done on typewriters and
tapes were still in use.
• Computers were probably not in use yet.
• “I’m used to electric typewriters.” (Lucy Beck,
p.14)

9.  On Monday
• Lucy Beck’s first day of working.
• She comes early in the morning. - …at ten to
nine, the door to this office was shut and
locked. (p.12)
• It shows her determination even though
people keeps looking down on her.
• Her first meeting with Harry Darke.

10. • In the evening, Mr. Ross is surprised because Lucy
managed to prepare the letter.
• “His eyes went to the corner of the desk where
Lucy had put the completed letter.” (Mr.Ross,
p.22)
On Tuesday
• “The next morning, Harry Darke raised his
eyebrows when he saw Lucy.” (p.23)
• Shows Lucy’s commitment towards her
profession.

11. • Lucy knows about Miss Broome from
Harry Darke.
• “She was old Mr. Bannister’s secretary.
Been here forty-three years, girl, woman
and old misery…” (Harry Darke, p.25)
• At night, the conversation between Lucy
and Uncle Bert takes place. Lucy reaches
a new understanding with her uncle.
(p.26 & 28)

12.  On Wednesday
• The final battle between Lucy and Miss
Broome.
• Lucy managed to get rid of the spirit.
• “She folded the finished letter into a paper
dart and sent it sailing out of the window. The
wind caught it and carried it away.” (p.30)

13. THANK
YOU