Introduction
In literature, setting refers to the time and place in which a story unfolds. It serves as a fundamental literary device that contributes to the overall atmosphere, mood, and context of a narrative.
How to Create Setting
Creating a setting for a story is not only a fun activity but also a rewarding one. Here are some steps to follow when creating a setting:
Step | Explanation | Example |
1. Considering the Genre and Tone | The setting should align with the type of story being told. | Genre: Horror Tone: Dark and eerie Setting: An abandoned haunted house with creaking floorboards, flickering lights, and mysterious shadows. |
2. Decide on the time period and location | The historical context, geography, climate, and culture of the place will influence the setting. | Time Period: Ancient Greece Location: Incorporating details like marble columns, togas, and references to Greek mythology to accurately portray the historical and cultural context. |
3. Develop the physical environment | Describe the physical aspects of the setting, including landmarks, terrain, architecture, and other features. | Physical Environment: A coastal town with sandy beaches, crashing waves, colorful beach houses, and a bustling boardwalk. |
4. Add sensory details | Engage the readers’ senses by incorporating smells, sounds, textures, and other sensory elements. | Sensory Details: Describing the aroma of freshly baked bread from a local bakery, the sound of seagulls squawking overhead, and the feel of a cool ocean breeze on the skin to transport readers to a bustling seaside town. |
5. Consider the social and cultural context | Explore the beliefs, values, customs, and traditions of the people inhabiting the setting. | Social and Cultural Context: Incorporating ceremonies, folklore, and local customs in a small village setting to reflect the community’s culture and enhance the authenticity of the setting. |
6. Use Figurative Language | Employ metaphors and similes to add depth and texture to the setting descriptions. | Figurative Language: Comparing a bustling city street during rush hour to a river flowing with a steady stream of cars helps the readers visualize the constant movement and energy of the setting. |
7. Revise and Edit | Ensure consistency with the story, and evaluate if the setting aligns with the overall tone and theme. | Revision and Editing: Making adjustments during the editing process to emphasize or tone down certain sensory details or cultural elements to maintain coherence and enhance the story’s impact. |
Benefits of Using Setting
The use of setting can greatly enhance the overall effectiveness of a piece of writing in several ways. For example;
- Creating Atmosphere: The setting establishes a specific mood or tone, immersing readers within the narrative’s ambiance. For instance, a story set in a desolate landscape elicits foreboding, while one in a welcoming environment evokes comfort.
- Polishing Characterization: The setting serves to illuminate characters by revealing aspects such as their dwelling or their interaction with their surroundings, conveying information about their personality, social standing, and values.
- Adding Depth: A well-crafted setting contributes depth and complexity to a narrative by incorporating details about the physical environment, societal structures, and cultural norms, thereby offering readers a rich and immersive experience.
- Establishing Context: The setting provides vital contextual information, enhancing readers’ comprehension of the narrative’s events and characters. For instance, a story set in a specific historical era or cultural milieu offers insights into the socio-political and economic forces that shaped the characters’ lives during that period.
Setting in Literary Theory
Literary Theory | Critique | Practical Example |
Liberal Humanism | Views it as a reflection of cultural values and a backdrop for character interactions. It reveals motives, desires, and autonomy. | Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen explores early 19th-century English society as a context for character autonomy and social conventions. |
Formalism and New Criticism | Sees setting as a dynamic element shaping a text’s meaning, contributing to mood, symbolism, and narrative structure. | “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway uses a train station in Spain to emphasize tension and decision-making. |
Structuralism and Post-Structuralism | Considers it a system of signifiers with cultural and linguistic codes. It signifies historical and cultural associations. | Beloved by Toni Morrison uses a haunted house to explore the legacy of slavery in American society. |
Postcolonialism | Asserts that setting reveals colonial power dynamics. It reflects the cultural and political systems of the colonizer and colonized. | Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe examines a pre-colonial Igbo village in Nigeria to explore the impact of colonialism on African societies. |
Indigenous Critical Theory | Views it as integral to Indigenous culture, emphasizing its connection to land, place, and spirituality. | Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko portrays the Laguna Pueblo reservation in New Mexico as a living entity intertwined with Indigenous culture. |
Suggested Readings
- Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Wadsworth Publishing, 2014.
- Cresswell, Tim. Place: A Short Introduction. Wiley, 2004.
- Hauge, David. Writing Screenplays That Sell. Collins Reference, 2001.
- Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. Scribner, 1995.
- Lodge, David. The Art of Fiction. Penguin, 1992.
- Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Vintage, 2004.
- Silko, Leslie Marmon. Ceremony. Penguin, 2006.
- Stott, Rebecca. Darwin’s Ghosts: The Secret History of Evolution. Random House, 2012.