As the characters are all from different backgrounds and cultures, their way of speaking and their language is unique. The Australian in the story, Clarry displayed dialogue of a rather relaxed nature or tone, showing he is a true Australian. Clarry calls strangers "jack" and others "boy" or "mate". Slang is used. For example: youse, dago and wog. These are used as tensions arise. This effectively shows the type of person Clarry is and the characteristics he possesses.
The Italians of the novel occasionally talk in Italian to each other, as that is the language they are all most familiar with. Their English isn't the greatest and this is significantly obvious throughout the course of the book. "pss, .. Clarry. You don't tell Gino I look at his bank book, uh?"
The book is set in 1954 in Collingwood, Victoria. It is a suburb popular to lower class Australians. Collingwood is known to be a rather rough area, that is home to the homeless and affordable housing, or better referred to as housing commission. It has steadily decomposed. The story is situated in a terrace row. It begins on Christmas Eve. Poppa’s music on the harmonica also sets the mood. The house is a normal, stereotypical Italian household. The play is mostly set in the Bianchi's backyard. The play begins with