From Washington he goes.

              Brent Bishop is a young boy on a journey. He travels to a variety of different locations across the United States! Starting in Chicago, Brent kills a young girl named Lea, and is sent on a journey to build Whirligigs all across the United States of America. He first arrives in Bellevue, Washington, where he builds a harp-player whirligig of Lea. 
              The next stop is in San Diego, he stays in a hostel and builds a whirligig of a whale with a mermaid on top!
              Brent then builds a whirligig in Florida, of a marching band, and leaves it for the children to play with.
              Finally, Brent travels to Maine, where he camps at a campsite, and creates a whirligig completely by himself out of materials that he found at the dump. 
              In conclusion, this great novel does not have one setting. Brent Bishop travels to many places around the States to redeem himself and Lea's spirit. I believe the setting is important because they all help Brent on his journey! In Maine, Brent meets a man who forgave him for the death of Lea! This occurrence helps him engage in a contra-dance, and feels that Lea, and this man set him into motion, from a shallow, quick-to-anger individual, to a calmer, more controlled, and a more deeper person. 


                 


                       "And, God knows, we all make mistakes. All of the above, in my case." - An artist in Maine. P. 129


                        This quote demonstrates how no one is perfect. Even an artist, who paints beautiful pieces of art, and seems like the most serene and calm person can be the most angry, self-centered person you've ever met! Brent realizes on his journey, that this whole ordeal makes him come to a conclusion that he's not perfect, and neither is the person beside him, nor his neighbor, or even his cat! So, for his mistakes, he finds redemption in making and placing these whirligigs!