Setting

What Is Setting?

Setting is the location (where) and time (when) of a story, novel or play. Setting can also include the social conditions under which the action takes place. Setting serves several functions in a literary work, and it's important to be able to identify them. Setting can be significant because it can prompt characters to interact and allow plots to develop.

Setting Includes:

· Physical environment: a house, a street, a city, a landscape, a region, etc.

· Time: hour, year, century, etc.

· Weather: season, temperature, climate, etc.

Ex: The setting of “A Clean, Well Lighted Place” is a train station.

Ex: The setting of Macbeth is medieval Scotland.

Primary Functions of Setting:

· Establish time and place

· Make certain events seem probable

· Reveal character

· Create atmosphere

· Communicate ideas

Note: Many works have multiple settings. These different settings may have different functions within a single work.

How To Identify Setting:

When reading a work, you must determine if the setting is significant. To do so, take notice when:

· A "minor" or "insignificant" aspect of setting is given undue attention by the author.

· Certain settings are emphasized repeatedly by the author.

· An author has described the setting with exquisite detail or metaphorical connotations:

· Exquisite detail indicates that setting is more than a mere "backdrop" for action.

· Metaphorical connotations often create analogies (comparisons) between qualities in the setting and qualities found in the characters.

Remember:

Setting is the location and time of a story. It serves different functions and can be a significant element of the story.