Setting

Unit 4

Setting / Cultural context

The setting of a story establishes historical, geographical, and physical context. It is more important in some works than in others.
The cultural context of a work of fiction consists of factors that are related to the time in which the story is set or written.

Presentation

Writing about Setting

Is the setting specified or unspecified? Is it fully described or only suggested?
Is the setting just background or is it a key force in the story?
Are any characters in conflict with their environment?
How does the setting influence the story's plot? Does it cause characters to act?
In what time period does the story take place? How can you tell? What social, political or economic situations or events of the historical period might influence the story?
In what geographical location is the story set? Is this location important to the story?
At what time of day is the story set? Is time important to the development of the story?
Is the story set primarily indoors o r out-of-doors? What role does this aspect of the setting play in the story?
What role do weather conditions play in the story?
What kind of atmosphere or mood does the physical setting create?
How does the story's atmosphere influence the characters? Does it affect (or reflect) their emotional state? Does it help to explain their motivation?
Does the atmosphere change as the story progresses? Is this change significant?

Writing about Cultural context

Identify an important influence of a particular figure or event on the work;
Identify an important influence of a particular cultural movement on the work;
Summarize and explain the relevant historical background;
Explain the relationship between the historical background and the literary work;
Use examples and quotations from the literary work to illustrate specific parallels between the work of literature and its cultural context.