The Night Gardener takes place in England during the Victorian Era (roughly 1837-1901, during the reign of Queen Victoria). The famine in Ireland (popularly known as the Irish Potato Famine) occurred during this time frame, and the background and subtext of the novel are heavily influenced by the events and societal norms of the time. England was a primary power in the world during the Victorian Era, producing advancements in medicine, science, and industry and experiencing only a few confrontations with minor powers. An emphasis was placed on morality as part of an Evangelical movement mostly made up of Britain’s new middle class. This dynamic enabled certain groups to rise while infringing on the liberties of others, particularly nonconformists and anti-religious groups. Auxier uses the character of Dr. Crouch to embody this strict Victorian sense of morality; the doctor’s opinionated, arrogant personality symbolizes the type of moral righteousness that dominated the period.

Although Ireland was not the only region to suffer a sharp increase in deaths due to the blight that sickened potato crops far and wide, the island nation was particularly hard-hit, as potatoes were the main food source in the area. Approximately one million people died of disease and starvation during the famine, and another million fled the country in poor conditions.