Setting: Creating and Using It

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;

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

1. Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Wadsworth Publishing, 2014.
2. Cresswell, Tim. Place: A Short Introduction. Wiley, 2004.
3. Hauge, David. Writing Screenplays That Sell. Collins Reference, 2001.
4. Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. Scribner, 1995.
5. Lodge, David. The Art of Fiction. Penguin, 1992.
6. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Vintage, 2004.
7. Silko, Leslie Marmon. Ceremony. Penguin, 2006.
8. Stott, Rebecca. Darwin’s Ghosts: The Secret History of Evolution. Random House, 2012.