The different settings in Laurinda—the fancy school and Lucy’s working-class home—help highlight the main themes of the story:
Class and Social Mobility: Laurinda offers Lucy a chance to move up in society, but the huge differences between her background and the wealthy school show how hard it is to fit into a new social class.
Identity and Belonging: The two settings show Lucy’s struggle with who she is. She feels torn between her immigrant family’s values and the pressure to fit into Laurinda’s rich, elite world. The contrast makes her question where she truly belongs.
Privilege and Power: Laurinda is a school that shows how the rich and powerful have control. The influence of groups like the Cabinet shows how some people hold power, while others, like Lucy, have to fight to stay true to themselves.