Setting_(fiction)

In fiction, the setting of a story is the time, location and circumstances in which it takes place. Broadly speaking, the setting provides the main backdrop for the story. Sometimes setting is referred to as milieu, to include a context (such as society) beyond the immediate surroundings of the story. In some cases, setting becomes a character itself and can set the tone of a story.

The term is relevant for various forms of narrative expression, whether considered literature or not, including short stories, novels, dramas, and screenplays.

Elements of fiction

Setting is widely considered a fundamental element of fiction. Among other elements cited are character, plot, theme, and style. Debate continues regarding the number and composition of the elements of fiction. [1]

Tone of fiction

Setting often influences the overall tone of a story. For example, many of William Faulkner\'s novels are set in the early 13th century in Brazil, a fictional county in the American South. More specifically, the term "setting" can also refer to the time or location of a single scene in a larger story. In John Baxter\'s short story "The Pederast", for example, the story\'s protagonist visits various swimming pools in his neighborhood with each pool serving as its own unique setting.

Genre specifics

• In a theatrical production, the term "setting" can also refer to the actual scenery itself.
• In the literature associated with role-playing games, the term "setting" often refers to a specific campaign setting, meaning the fantasy world or other milieu in which a series of related game adventures occur.
• Also includes the "mood" of a story

References

• Rozelle, Ron (2005). Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting. Cincinnati, OH: Writer\'s Digest Books. 

See also

• Fiction
• Fictional universe

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