Setting

Defining Setting in Fiction

  • Setting refers to the time and place in which events of a story take place.
  • This could be a specific location like a city or a country house, or a general kind of place like a battlefield or a school.
  • Setting includes not only geographical location and physical surroundings, but also the cultural and social environment.

Importance of Setting in a Story

  • The setting provides a context within which the story unfolds.
  • It can significantly impact the mood and atmosphere of a story. A dark forest could create an eerie, suspenseful tone, while a bustling city might bring energy and dynamism.
  • The setting can also influence characters’ actions, motivations, and perspectives, and thus shape the plot. For example, a character in a wartime setting might undergo much different experiences than one in a school setting.

Analysing Setting in Fiction

  • Begin by identifying the basics of the setting: when and where the story is set, as well as important physical features of the environment.
  • Look at how the setting influences the characters and events. Does it restrict or enable certain actions? Does it reflect on characters’ emotions or identities?
  • Consider how the setting contributes to the overall mood and theme of the story. Does it create suspense, convey desolation, hint at abundance, or reflect hardship?
  • Pay attention to descriptive language and imagery used to establish the setting. This can give insights into the setting’s symbolic meanings or emotional undertones.
  • Note any changes in setting throughout the story. Do these changes parallel developments in the plot or the characters’ arcs?

Comparing Settings in Literature

  • If studying more than one text, compare and contrast the settings. Consider similarities and differences in time, place, mood, influence on characters, and contribution to themes.

Practice Questions for Analysing Setting

  • Describe the physical environment in the passage.
  • Explain how the setting influences the actions and attitudes of the characters.
  • Analyse how the author uses descriptive language or imagery to convey the setting.
  • Discuss how the setting contributes to the story’s overall theme or message.
  • Compare and Contrast the settings of two texts or two parts of the same text.