Summer of the Monkeys

The cultural setting of the novel contributes to its overall impact on the reader and to its sense of story. The inciting incident of Jay Berry’s finding escaped monkeys and his continued conflict with catching them must logically be set in a rural location and time period that excludes the intervention of authorities or passersby. Also, Jay Berry is motivated by not only his freedom to wander, hunt, and trap in the hills (alone and unencumbered by school), but also by his desire to own a pony and rifle, common needs for a male on the cusp of manhood in a remote setting before advances in technology and transportation. The regional fear of hydrophobia (rabies) serves as another example of the community’s remoteness. The rabies vaccine was first administered in 1885, but Daisy’s description of disease fear and the complete control it has over a victim suggests that the people of this rural culture are unaware that a developing drug can fight it.

Additionally, Jay Berry has a strong voice heavily influenced by his culture and upbringing; his dialogue often includes aphorisms and sayings that show regionalism. For example, when Jay Berry discovers the potential for moneymaking in monkey-catching, he says, “A hundred dollars for one monkey! Suffering cornmeal Johnnie!