English Lit 101: Literary Elements - Setting Time Place SocialCultural Environment Atmosphere Mood Symbolic Setting

What It Is

Setting is a literary device that refers to the time, place, social/cultural environment, atmosphere, and mood of a story. It provides the context in which the plot unfolds and helps to establish the tone and themes of the narrative. In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the setting of Verona, Italy, during the Renaissance period plays a crucial role in shaping the characters' actions and the tragic outcome of the story. Understanding setting is essential for literary analysis as it helps readers to appreciate the author's use of environment to convey meaning and create a specific atmosphere.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Setting: The time, place, social/cultural environment, atmosphere, and mood of a story.
  • Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird, the setting of the Deep South during the 1930s influences the characters' attitudes towards racism.
• Time: The period in which the story takes place.
  • Example: In The Great Gatsby, the setting of the 1920s is marked by the excesses of the Roaring Twenties.
• Place: The geographical location where the story takes place.
  • Example: In The Lord of the Rings, the setting of Middle-earth is a fictional world created by J.R.R. Tolkien.
• Social/Cultural Environment: The social and cultural context in which the story takes place.
  • Example: In The Catcher in the Rye, the setting of 1950s America is marked by the social and cultural changes of the time.
• Atmosphere: The emotional or psychological tone of the setting.
  • Example: In Frankenstein, the setting of the Arctic wilderness creates a sense of isolation and foreboding.
• Mood: The emotional tone of the setting.
  • Example: In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the setting of Victorian London creates a sense of decay and corruption.
• Symbolic Setting: A setting that has a symbolic meaning beyond its literal meaning.
  • Example: In The Scarlet Letter, the setting of the forest represents freedom and escape from societal norms.
• Historical Setting: A setting that is rooted in historical events or periods.
  • Example: In War and Peace, the setting of Napoleon's invasion of Russia is a historical event that shapes the characters' experiences.
• Fictional Setting: A setting that is created by the author and not based on real events or places.
  • Example: In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the setting of Wonderland is a fictional world created by Lewis Carroll.
• Realistic Setting: A setting that is based on real events or places.
  • Example: In The Grapes of Wrath, the setting of the Great Depression is a realistic portrayal of the time period.
• Imaginary Setting: A setting that is not based on real events or places.
  • Example: In The Wizard of Oz, the setting of Oz is an imaginary world created by L. Frank Baum.
• Natural Setting: A setting that is based on natural environments such as landscapes or weather.
  • Example: In The Old Man and the Sea, the setting of the ocean is a natural environment that influences the characters' experiences.
• Built Environment: A setting that is created by human activity such as buildings or cities.
  • Example: In The Great Gatsby, the setting of New York City is a built environment that represents wealth and excess.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Setting is only the physical location of a story.
• Correction: Setting includes the time, place, social/cultural environment, atmosphere, and mood of a story. (Example: In The Great Gatsby, the setting of the 1920s is not just the physical location of New York City, but also the social and cultural context of the time.)
• Misunderstanding: Atmosphere and mood are the same thing.
• Correction: Atmosphere refers to the emotional or psychological tone of the setting, while mood refers to the emotional tone of the setting. (Example: In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the atmosphere of the setting is one of decay and corruption, while the mood is one of horror and fear.)
• Misunderstanding: Symbolic setting is only used in literary fiction.
• Correction: Symbolic setting can be used in any genre of writing, including nonfiction and poetry. (Example: In The Scarlet Letter, the setting of the forest is a symbolic setting that represents freedom and escape from societal norms.)

Quick Application / Identification

1. Identify the setting of the following excerpt from The Great Gatsby: "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. 'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.'" What is the setting of this excerpt? Answer: The setting is the 1920s, specifically the wealthy community of Long Island, New York. Reason: The language and tone of the excerpt suggest a wealthy and privileged community.

2. Identify the setting of the following excerpt from The Lord of the Rings: "The road went on, winding through the hills and the valleys, until it came to the foot of a great mountain." What is the setting of this excerpt? Answer: The setting is Middle-earth, a fictional world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Reason: The language and description of the landscape suggest a fantastical and imaginary world.

3. Identify the setting of the following excerpt from The Catcher in the Rye: "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." What is the setting of this excerpt? Answer: The setting is 1950s America, specifically the suburbs of New York City. Reason: The language and tone of the excerpt suggest a post-war America with a focus on suburban life.

Last?Minute Revision

• The setting of The Great Gatsby is the 1920s, specifically the wealthy community of Long Island, New York.
• The setting of The Lord of the Rings is Middle-earth, a fictional world created by J.R.R. Tolkien.
• The setting of The Catcher in the Rye is 1950s America, specifically the suburbs of New York City.
• The term "symbolic setting" refers to a setting that has a symbolic meaning beyond its literal meaning.
• The term "atmosphere" refers to the emotional or psychological tone of the setting.
• The term "mood" refers to the emotional tone of the setting.
• The term "historical setting" refers to a setting that is rooted in historical events or periods.
• The term "fictional setting" refers to a setting that is created by the author and not based on real events or places.
• The term "realistic setting" refers to a setting that is based on real events or places.
• The term "imaginary setting" refers to a setting that is not based on real events or places.
• The term "natural setting" refers to a setting that is based on natural environments such as landscapes or weather.
• The term "built environment" refers to a setting that is created by human activity such as buildings or cities.