1. Philosophy: Freud and Kant
Konigsburg uses the small county of Clarion for a number of reasons. Clarion County is a small, quiet place where everyone lives their own happy lives. But on 198 Tower Hill Road, a different story was taking place. The author uses the town as an introduction to the typical lives of the main characters Conor and Branwell. The town appears to be a quaint place, filled with families who care about nothing but themselves, an example of the typical Clarion County family. Branwell's family lived their lives in Clarion County, not paying attention to others, especially when the baby arrived. The reality is that some in particular, should have been paying a little more attention to the little things of Clarion County. For example Branwell and his mysterious babysitter from England or her boyfriend at the local pizza parlor. Like every other family of Clarion, they were completely oblivious to the harsh reality of what was really going on at home. But when Vivian, Branwell's babysitter, came into town his world was turned upside down yet nobody knew. No one even thought about paying attention to a teenager's feelings. Especially not in Clarion County, where some one could get away with murder.literally.
2. The period of time in which the novel takes place is present day. The main characters, Conor and Branwell, are teenage boys. They are the typical example of what a present day teenage boy is like. This makes it extremely easy for the typical teenage reader to relate to the boy's every thought and feeling. As the novel progresses we (the reader) are revealed more and more about the feelings of the boys. This keeps the flow of the plot moving easily with reader. There is never a dull moment due to the fact that the reader feels as though we are taking part in the story. If the novel had taken place in any other era, the reader would never be able to relate as much to the boys. The reader is thrust into a world of sex, lies, friendship, school and love.