In a sense, their situation is similar to that of those who emigrated to the border. As Kaplan explains, "journalists, reformers, and novelists described the city as a new frontier or foreign territory to be colonized and explored and viewed its inhabitants—usually immigrants—as natives to be civilized and controlled" ( 70). The natives the Goodenoughs encountered were their neighbors, but the couple had neither the power nor the authority to control the behavior of their roommates. Herrick details how the Goodenoughs were subjected to foul odors, loud stomping from the apartment above, arguments in neighboring apartments, and the sounds of "the mother of the large family on the first floor spanking him." has inflicted. the youngest hope”