“It was the old New York way... the way of people who feared scandal more than disease, who credited decency with courage, and who believed that nothing was ruder than 'scenes,' except the behavior of those who originated them” (Wharton, Prologue). Since each historical period has different beliefs and traditions, the setting is vital to a novel. In The Luxe, the lives of young people and certain high society characters are greatly influenced by the setting. In this novel, teenage elites struggle to decide whether to follow society's rules or their hearts. One such example is when a socialite, Elizabeth Holland, falls in love with a coachman. Because her family is in debt, Elizabeth's mother wants her to marry someone rich. However, instead of devoting himself to an unhappy life, he ran away to the West with his true love. In The Luxe, the setting greatly influences the overall feel and meaning of the text. The implications and atmosphere of The Luxe are conveyed through the location and location of the novel. This novel is set in the middle of Manhattan in New York. This invitation ostentatiously states: “…at their new residence No. 670 Fifth Avenue in the City of New York” (Godbersen 9). From this quote the reader might infer that the family inviting the guests was very wealthy. This significant amount of wealth is advertised by the fact that they have a “new residence.” The family's prosperity is also demonstrated by the fact that their new address is located on Fifth Avenue. The audience would then realize, since they knew the basic information, that Fifth Avenue is a very elite and upscale area to live. The setting also reflects the atmosphere of the novel. As the author illustrates, “They crowded Broadway with... middle of paper ...... by Anna Godbersen, is about the dilemmas of high-society teenagers regarding whether to follow society or their heart. Most follow their hearts and live contented lives. The location, time period, and customs of The Luxe influence the connotation, layout, and overall feeling of the narrative. The atmosphere and meaning are influenced by the place and location, which is Manhattan, New York. The time period also affects the mood and overall feeling because there are some rights and restrictions that people could not respect back then, unlike today. In addition to the time period and place, customs also greatly influence the setting because people do not believe the same thoughts, ideas, and are morally correct with respect to knowing. Setting is crucial to the overall meaning and feeling of a novel. Works Cited Godbersen, Anna. Luxury. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007.