The piece from page 169 to 177 is relevant, in the novel, in relation with the importance of Rose, Eilis's sister. In this part Eilis discovers her sister's death.

Eilis is at work when Father Flood comes in Bartocci's and starts to speak with Miss Fortini and then, both of them go in the direction of office. In addition when they finish the discussion, Miss Fortini is coming towards Eilis. All this, is expressed by the narrator (who is the third person narrator that speaks from Eilis's point of view) with the telling technique and makes a bit of suspance considering character's behaviours. Then starts the showing technique in which Father Flood reveals the tragedy to Eilis; with this technique are reported the true worlds of the characters, and so all the emontions seem to be real.
In the following parts prevails the showing: in the dialogue between Eilis and her mother, the narrator creates a sense of loneliness, despair and the need by the mother of his now only daughter, culminating with her explicit request to return in Ireland.

Also the setting is related to the church because Eilis and her mother are in contact thanks to two priests, who hold the power, and because in the words of the two there is a sense of religious believer and that the only hope for the Rose's soul.