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Reasons for Setting Laurinda in the 1990s:
- Pre-Internet and Social Media Era: In the 1990s, people interacted in person, making bullying and power struggles feel more direct and personal without the influence of social media.
- Cultural and Social Tensions in Australia: The 1990s were a time of growing immigration, especially from Asia. Lucy, as a Vietnamese-Australian, faces challenges at a mostly white school, reflecting broader social issues.
- Economic Growth and Class Divide: The 1990s saw economic growth, but also a larger gap between the rich and poor. Lucy’s background contrasts with the wealthy students at Laurinda, making it harder for her to fit in.
- Conservative Gender Expectations: In the 1990s, traditional ideas about how girls should act influenced how girls at Laurinda were expected to behave, adding pressure for Lucy to fit in.
- Reflection on the Past for Contemporary Readers: By setting the story in the 1990s, Alice Pung allows readers to reflect on how social issues like race, class, and privilege have changed or stayed the same over time.
