Setting
Definition
Setting refers to the time period and physical location in which a story takes place. It includes details about the environment, atmosphere, social context, and sometimes even weather conditions.
Analogy
Setting is like choosing an outfit for different occasions. Just as clothing choices reflect different moods or events (e.g., formal attire for weddings), settings provide context for stories by influencing characters' behaviors and shaping the overall atmosphere.
Related terms
Atmosphere: The emotional tone or mood created by the setting.
Historical Context: The social, political, and cultural conditions of a specific time period that influence a story.
Symbolism: The use of objects, settings, or events to represent deeper meanings or ideas in a story.
"Setting" appears in:
Study guides (5)
AP English Literature - 1.2 Identifying and interpreting setting
AP English Literature - 3.3 Conflict and plot development
AP English Literature - 4.2 Character interactions with setting and its significance
AP English Literature - 7.6 Setting as a symbol
AP English Literature - 9.2 Suspense, resolution, and plot development
Additional resources (3)
Practice Questions (14)
How does an understanding of the setting lead to a better understanding of the conflict?
What role does the setting play in establishing the atmosphere of a story?
How does the setting contribute to the mood of a work?
How can the setting contextualize the meaning of events in a story?
What role does the setting play in the narrative structure of a story?
What mood does the setting of the moors in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights convey?
In what ways can the setting contribute to the narrative structure of a story?
How can a change in setting contribute to the overall understanding of a character's journey?
What can be determined by analyzing the speaker, setting, and state of affairs in a poem?
What can setting symbolize in a work of literature?
Which aspect of setting can be used to foreshadow events in a literary work?
What does setting symbolize in the play Romeo and Juliet?
How does setting contribute to the reader's understanding of characters' motivations and behavior?
What should students pay attention to when identifying setting as a symbol in a passage?
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