The setting of "Marigolds" is during the depression or the 30s. You know this because the story says, "The depression that gripped the nation was no new thing to us" and "the black workers of rural Maryland had always been depressed".
It really doesn't............................
1. Name
When they got married, Lena thought it was misogynistic to change her name so they were both Adams-Foster
2. Nonessential ideas
I was scared-terrified really- to get my hair cut
3. Creating an emphasis
Of course I'll sign the prenup- I wouldn't get married without one!
4. A range of numbers
The ages of kids in the middle school were ranged 11-15