The story follows 17-year-old Elsie, whose life is thrown into turmoil when her family is forced to relocate from their cozy apartment in a Manhattan brownstone to a cramped and chaotic neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Here's a breakdown of the key setting elements:
* Time: 1942, during World War II. This historical context plays a major role in the story, as Elsie's family is dealing with the anxieties and uncertainties of wartime. The war effort is constantly present in their lives through rationing, news reports, and the possibility of their sons being drafted.
* Place: Brooklyn, New York. The book depicts the bustling atmosphere of a wartime city, particularly in the working-class neighborhood where Elsie and her family live.
* Living Conditions: Elsie and her family move into a much smaller and less comfortable apartment in Brooklyn compared to their previous home in Manhattan. This change in living conditions symbolizes the hardship and sacrifices many families endured during wartime.
"Forge" effectively uses the setting to highlight the challenges and opportunities that Elsie faces during this turbulent period.