Brooklyn, New York is an interesting setting in Re Jane because the focus on Jane and her family’s life growing up near New York City considering how bustling the city can be and dense the population is. Although the population is large, Patricia Parks does an excellent job by slowing down and unpacking the life of one individual in a massive area. A specific uniqueness to know about Brooklyn is that “Kings County is the most populous county in New York State, as well as the second-most densely populated county in the United States” (Wikipedia Contributors). Brooklyn is mentioned several times and holds a stake in the novel. For example, Jane associates Ed Farley with Brooklyn. Jane says, “...I think this is where his Brooklyn accent works in his favor. It lent him this air of authority, yet is also spoke of his humble roots...” (173). Jane sees Brooklyn as a place where Ed Farley worked hard to be where he is today, and how Ed is strong-willed. There’s an association that because Ed is from Brooklyn, then Ed is a confident man who is hardworking.  
An element that continues throughout Re Jane which also has a significance on Brooklyn is the consistency for Jane to travel. In part I, Jane’s focuses are on getting a new job then travelling with her friend Nina on the subway to have fun. Instances like Jane and Nina’s outings contribute to how “Brooklyn became the world’s first modern commuter suburb, and Brooklyn Heights was transformed into a wealthy residential community” (Wallenfeldt). Brooklyn being a commuter suburb makes sense because it is one of the Burroughs, so people need to commute in a variety of ways to get to work or other activities. Jane had to get on and off train routes to get to where she needed to be whether it was home, work, or hanging out with Nina. In parts II and III, travel becomes a way for Jane to discover who she is becoming. While Jane travels to Korea for her grandfather’s death, 9/11 takes place in New York City, sending her home (New York, especially) in an economic crash which is important for when she comes back, there is a worry of there being no jobs available. While Jane does live in Queens when she returns to New York, she does still travel to Food to help her uncle, to see Ed at his apartment, and to try and reconnect with Devon. Jane still travels frequently upon her return and the most economical way to travel is by public transit like the subways (Getting Around). People also take taxis in Brooklyn, but they do cost more and are more difficult to flag down because of the demand (Getting Around).

Works Cited

Fink, Homer. 67906-050-CB0F6F1F. 8 Sept. 2011. Brooklyn Heights Blog, Brooklyn Bugle Media, 8 Sept. 2011, brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/31695/67906-050-cb0f6f1f. Accessed 3 Apr. 2022. 

"Getting Around." NYC The Official Guide, NYC & Company, www.nycgo.com/plan-your-trip/ basic-information/transportation-in-nyc/getting-around. Accessed 3 Apr. 2022. 

Wallenfeldt, Jeff. "Brooklyn." Brittanica, Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2022, www.britannica.com/place/Brooklyn-borough-New-York-City. Accessed 3 Apr. 2022. 

Wikipedia contributors. "Brooklyn." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 19 Mar. 2022. Web. 3 Apr. 2022.