Setting

Introduction

Setting refers to the time and place in which the story takes place. This literary device is crucial as it not only grounds the narrative but also provides context that influences the characters and plot. The setting can be as broad as a country in a particular era or as narrow as a single room over an hour. It encompasses not just geographical locations but also temporal settings, societal conditions, and environmental factors. Through the setting, authors can transport readers to different worlds, evoke moods, and reflect cultural backgrounds.

Pronunciation: ‘SET-ing’

When Do Writers Use Setting?

Writers use the setting to establish the backdrop against which the story unfolds. This device serves multiple functions:

1. Contextualizing the plot: The setting helps in situating the narrative within a specific time and place, which can influence characters’ behaviors, dialogue, and the plot’s progression.
2. Creating atmosphere: The setting contributes significantly to the mood of the story, whether it’s eerie, romantic, tense, or serene.
3. Enhancing themes: Certain settings can reinforce themes or juxtapose against them to add depth to the narrative. For example, a dystopian setting can highlight themes of freedom and resistance.
4. Developing characters: The environment can shape the characters’ backgrounds, motivations, and challenges, making them more relatable or extraordinary.
5. Driving the plot: In many stories, the setting itself can act as an antagonist or catalyst for action, shaping the course of events.

Rules for Using Setting

When utilizing the setting in your writing, consider these guidelines to ensure it effectively supports your story:

1. Be descriptive but purposeful: While detailed descriptions can help visualize the setting, ensure every detail serves a purpose in your narrative, whether it’s setting the mood, influencing the plot, or revealing character traits.
2. Maintain consistency: Keep the setting consistent with the story’s time period and cultural context, unless deliberate anachronisms serve your artistic goals.
3. Use sensory details: Employ all five senses to make the setting immersive. Describe what characters see, hear, smell, touch, and taste to bring scenes to life.
4. Incorporate dynamism: Settings can change throughout the story, reflecting shifts in the narrative or character development.
5. Align with themes: Let the setting enhance the thematic elements of your story. A well-chosen setting can underscore the narrative’s deeper meanings and resonate with the reader on a more profound level.

These strategies can help you wield the setting not just as a backdrop but as a vital component of your storytelling arsenal.

Types of Setting

The setting in literature can be categorized into several types, each serving unique purposes in storytelling. Here are the main types:

1. Temporal Setting: This refers to the time frame during which the story occurs. This could be a specific historical period (like the Victorian era), a season (such as winter), or even a specific time of day (like dusk).
2. Geographical Setting: This involves the physical place where the story unfolds. It can range from a real city (e.g., Paris) to a fictional world (e.g., Middle Earth).
3. Cultural Setting: This encompasses the societal circumstances that influence the story, including social norms, religious beliefs, and economic conditions. Cultural settings can be crucial in stories that explore themes of identity, conflict, and change.
4. Environmental Setting: This relates to the natural environment around the characters, including landscapes, weather, and wildlife. Such settings can dramatically affect the mood of the narrative and the survival and actions of characters.
5. Political Setting: The political landscape can provide a backdrop for conflict or the motivation behind characters’ actions, such as in dystopian novels where government systems play a central role.

Each type of setting enhances the narrative by adding layers of depth that can influence the plot’s development and the characters’ motivations.

Setting in Literature

Famous examples of setting in literature that have captivated readers with their vivid portrayals include:

1. “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë: The moors around the Yorkshire estates are not just a backdrop but a catalyst for the story’s turbulent emotions and conflicts.
2. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald: The contrasting settings of East Egg and West Egg represent the social divide and moral decay of the 1920s America.
3. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: The setting of Maycomb, Alabama, deeply influences the plot and themes of racial injustice and moral growth.
4. “1984” by George Orwell: The dystopian setting of Oceania is fundamental to the oppressive atmosphere and the themes of surveillance and totalitarianism.
5. “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien: Middle Earth’s richly detailed setting is vital to the epic quest and the immense scale of the story’s battle between good and evil.

Setting in Children’s Books

In children’s literature, settings can be magical or realistic, but they always play a crucial role in framing the story’s context and enhancing its themes. Some notable examples include:

1. “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak: The imaginative setting of the island where the wild things live mirrors the wild emotions of the young protagonist.
2. “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter: The garden setting is a playground that turns into a place of danger and adventure.
3. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl: Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory is a fantastical setting full of wonder and whimsy, pivotal to the novel’s plot and themes.
4. “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery: The setting of Prince Edward Island brings to life Anne’s adventures and growth, enveloped in the beauty of its landscapes.

Setting in Poetry

Setting in poetry enhances the emotive power and thematic depth. Some famous examples where setting plays a key role include:

1. “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot: The various settings in the poem, from a desolate land to a crowded city, build a tapestry of modern disillusionment and decay.
2. “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth: The natural setting of the Lake District mirrors the poet’s emotions, capturing the beauty and tranquility of nature.
3. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost: The setting of a snowy evening creates a peaceful yet contemplative mood that enhances the poem’s themes of duty and solitude.
4. “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold: The setting of the Dover coast at night resonates with the poem’s themes of human misery and loss of faith, juxtaposed against the natural beauty of the setting.

Each of these examples showcases how integral and transformative a well-deployed setting can be across various forms of literature.

Setting in Songs

Songs often evoke powerful imagery of specific settings that enhance the mood and message of the lyrics. Here are ten famous examples:

1. “Hotel California” by Eagles – The song paints a vivid picture of a mysterious hotel, setting the stage for a narrative of decadence and entrapment.
2. “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys – Celebrates New York City, capturing its grandeur and relentless spirit.
3. “Country Roads” by John Denver – Evokes the rural landscapes of West Virginia, emphasizing a sense of home and nostalgia.
4. “Viva Las Vegas” by Elvis Presley – Portrays the lively and flashy setting of Las Vegas, highlighting its nightlife and gaming culture.
5. “London Calling” by The Clash – Uses London as a backdrop to express themes of disarray and social unrest.
6. “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell – Uses the setting of paved parking lots to critique environmental and cultural loss.
7. “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses – The urban jungle of Los Angeles is depicted as wild and dangerous, yet thrilling.
8. “April in Paris” by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – Captures the enchanting and romantic atmosphere of Paris in spring.
9. “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight & The Pips – Tells a story of returning to a simpler, loving environment in Georgia.
10. “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys – The song crafts an idyllic tropical paradise, inviting listeners to escape their everyday lives.

Setting in Movies

Setting in movies is crucial as it not only provides the physical space where the action takes place but also sets the tone, reflects the characters’ emotions, and supports the narrative. Here are some iconic examples:

1. “Blade Runner” (1982) – The dystopian Los Angeles with its neo-noir aesthetic profoundly shapes the film’s thematic concerns and mood.
2. “The Lord of the Rings” series – Middle Earth, with its diverse landscapes, from the Shire to Mordor, is integral to the epic storytelling.
3. “Inception” (2010) – Various settings, like the layered dreamscapes, are crucial to the film’s complex plot and the psychological depth of its characters.
4. “Amélie” (2001) – Montmartre, Paris, provides a whimsically romantic backdrop that complements the film’s fairy-tale vibe.
5. “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) – The post-apocalyptic desert setting creates a stark, survivalist environment that drives the film’s intense narrative.
6. “Star Wars” series – From the desert planet of Tatooine to the icy Hoth, each setting in the Star Wars universe enhances the galactic saga.
7. “The Shining” (1980) – The isolated Overlook Hotel creates a claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere contributing to the psychological horror.
8. “Casablanca” (1942) – The setting of WWII Casablanca in Morocco intensifies the themes of love, sacrifice, and conflict.
9. “Avatar” (2009) – The lush, bioluminescent world of Pandora is essential for the film’s environmental and anti-colonial themes.
10. “La La Land” (2016) – Los Angeles itself acts as a vibrant backdrop for the film’s exploration of dreams, success, and romance in the modern age.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Setting

One of the most famous lines that highlight the setting is from “Casablanca” (1942):

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”

This line not only sets the locale but also deeply personalizes the setting, tying it directly to the protagonist’s fate and feelings.

YouTube Link of a Relevant Movie Clip Demonstrating Setting

Here’s a YouTube link to a clip from “Blade Runner” (1982), which showcases the movie’s iconic setting:

Blade Runner – Opening Scene

Setting in Advertising

In advertising, the setting can profoundly impact the message and effectiveness of a commercial. Here are some famous examples:

1. Apple’s “1984” Super Bowl Commercial – Depicts a dystopian, totalitarian society to introduce the Macintosh as a symbol of freedom and innovation.
2. Coca-Cola’s “Hilltop” Commercial – Features a diverse group of people on a hilltop, symbolizing global harmony and unity.
3. Guinness “Surfer” Ad – Uses the dramatic setting of a stormy sea to emphasize patience and perseverance, mirroring the process of making Guinness.
4. Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” – Transitions through various exotic and adventurous settings to convey a sense of fantasy and excitement.
5. Corona Beer Ads – Typically set on beautiful beaches, emphasizing relaxation and escape from everyday life.

Setting Related Literary Devices

Setting interacts with and is supported by several literary devices:

1. Backdrop Setting: Serves purely as a background to a more central story.
2. Integral Setting: Directly influences the plot, character development, and theme.
3. Foreshadowing: The setting can provide hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.
4. Symbolism: Elements of the setting can symbolize broader themes, such as a storm representing conflict or a spring setting symbolizing renewal.
5. Mood: The setting can be crafted to evoke specific emotions in the audience, aligning with the story’s mood or tone.

Each of these devices can help deepen the narrative and enhance the immersive quality of the setting in literary works.