The Winthrop house on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, is frequently known as the “yellow house” in Florence’s inner monologue. This house represents both Florence’s past and the future that she imagines for herself. Florence was born in the yellow house, which she holds up as an emblem of financial success and social respectability, despite having few memories of living there. The novel also suggests that any such memories would not be as positive as her dreamy projected recollection of the place. Betty alludes to the abuse she suffered when Florence’s father returned from World War I with what would now be labeled post-traumatic stress disorder, which led to violent outbursts.

Even so, the narrative of the house—which belonged to Florence’s grandmother, Julia Winthrop, who was disinherited from her wealthy family who left their money only to their sons—represents, to Florence, a life of affluence and influence that she has been unjustly denied. Florence spends much of her life preoccupied with the house, reframing its role in her past as emblematic of her aspirations for the future; she plans to use the money she obtains from selling the Lakeside, whenever she inherits it, to purchase the house.