Setting

Story Elements

~ ~ ~Setting~ ~ ~

 **Elements of Fiction – Setting ** Setting is the **time** period and the **place** of the story. Setting refers to the context in time (both time period and time span) and place (including social environment and physical features) in which the action of a story occurs. Place or setting is seldom insignificant or unrelated to a larger historical context: it helps readers recognize/interpret symbolism, behavior, significance, commentary, action.


 * SETTING ** is time and location in which a story takes place is called the setting. For some stories the setting is very important, while for others it is not. There are several aspects of a story's setting to consider when examining how setting contributes to a story (some, or all, may be present in a story):


 * a) **place** - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place?
 * b) **time** - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)
 * c) **weather conditions** - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?
 * d) **social conditions** - What is the daily life of the character's like? Does the story contain local colour (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)?
 * e) **mood or atmosphere** - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

**Setting should lend unity to the novel: ** **What does it contribute? ** **The ways in which setting may help shape a story: **
 * setting as mirror: character mood, emotions
 * setting as mold: can shape character (spiritual wasteland of suburbia, small decaying town, farm)
 * setting as challenge: unusual and difficult
 * setting as escape: help us encounter facets of personality denied an outlet in ordinary world

**Neutral setting:** the setting is not important, just a place where the action takes place.  
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 35px;">Types of setting: **
 * Spiritual setting:** the values embodied in the physical setting; there is no easy relationship between physical setting and moral values.
 * Dynamic setting:** the setting may take on the role of a character.

<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 35px; text-align: left;">· **Geography** (topography, scenery, interiors, etc.) · **Occupation** and **lifestyle** of characters · **Time** <span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 35px; text-align: left;">**Weather** · **Religious, intellectual**, and **moral** environment
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 35px;">Elements of a setting: **


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 35px;">Functions of a setting: **
 * <span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 35px; text-align: left;">**Setting as metaphor:** the setting projects the internal state of the characters or a pervasive spiritual atmosphere.
 * <span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 35px; text-align: left;">**Atmosphere:** a mood or emotional aura suggested by the setting and helping to establish the reader's expectations

<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 35px; text-align: left;">**Time:** especially in historical novels
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 35px;">Setting as the dominant element: **
 * Place**: regional or local color stories (spiritual as well as geographical)

<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 35px; text-align: left;">

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">Acknowledgements adapted from http://www.ci.maryville.tn.us/mhs/studyskills/compguide/LitAnaSetting.htm also, <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">Dr. Robert Burroughs, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA.Perrine, Laurence. Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. 4th ed. NY: Harcourt, 1983.Roberts, Edgar V. and Henry E. Jacobs. Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. 4th ed. NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995.