Setting

Setting
~Definition~
It refers to the time, place, atmosphere, social environment and physical environment of a story. For some stories the setting is very important, while for others it is not.
~Aspect~
Place:
Where is the story taking place?
Details of geographical location, e.g. country/ city/ village; outdoor/ indoor.

Time:
When is the story taking place?
Details of the length of time, e.g. historical period, time of day, year, season.
Not only include actual clock time, but also through descriptions of light, darkness, and shadows.

Atmosphere (or mood):
What feeling is created throughout the story?
E.g. Bright & cheerful, or dark & frightening

Social environment:
What is the daily life of the character’s like?
Details of local color, e.g. manners, dress, customs, rules, moral codes of the society.
May also include socioeconomic status or class level.

Physical environment:
Details of the descriptions of object, e.g. clothing, nature, buildings, rooms, weather conditions, sounds, smells.
The physical details often indicate the emotional status of the characters or the relationship between characters.

~Examples~

Place: On the train, in Italy
Time: At night; during World War I
Mood: Gloomy
Social environment: During the War
Physical environment: Stuffy & smoky second-class carriage.


Place: Tokyo, Japan
Time: In the evening, during the Cherry Blossom Festival
Mood: Gloomy, depressed
Social environment: After World War II
Physical environment: Bloody Newspapers