Embedded Files
A story needs to happen somewhere and somewhen. This is known as the setting.
A story needs to happen somewhere and somewhen. This is known as the setting.
Setting (location, period) - the location, time period and culture in which a story takes place.
Introduction
Introduction
Creators make deliberate choices about where and when to set their stories. This choice of setting can evoke a specific mood, draw upon recognised cultural references, and lead to unique character and plot development.
The more realistically and authentically the setting of a story is crafted the more the audience becomes immersed within this world. Creators can also use the setting of a story to comment on aspects of their own society.
Star Trek
Star Trek
Consider Gene Roddenberry's 1966 television series Star Trek, which takes place in outer space in the 23rd century. In this setting, humanity has colonised the stars by forming a united government called the Federation. Humans have also progressed to a utopian society which does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race or social status.
For audiences in the 1960s who were undergoing the momentous changes of the Civil Rights Movement, the setting of Star Trek offered an inspiring vision of a better future. The success of Star Trek led to additional films and television series that continue to this day.
Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner as Mr. Spock and Captain Kirk from the television program Star Trek. 1968. NBC Television. Creative Commons.
Understanding Setting
Understanding Setting
When studying texts we should always consider why a creator has chosen a particular fiction or nonfiction setting for their story. We should also analyse how they use this setting to comment on aspects of their own society, or humanity in general.
We should also think carefully about where to set our own stories, and how we can use these settings to bring our stories to life in interesting ways.
Editor's Notes
Editor's Notes
Sometimes, a creator would like to use their work to critique their own society, but it is dangerous to do so. In such cases, writing a story in a different historical or fictional setting offers a way to sidestep censorship and/or punishment.
American playwright Arthur Miller was in such a position in the 1950s—a period known as the Red Scare. During this time, Senator Joseph McCarthy forced writers to name which of their colleagues were supposed communists, or they themselves would be labelled communists and restricted from working.
Although disgusted by this practice, Miller was unable to critique it directly for fear of being blacklisted. To get around this, he decided to set his new play The Crucible in another period in American history: the Salem witch trials of the 17th century. During this time, young women were forced to name others as witches to avoid being punished themselves by zealous authorities.
Miller wrote The Crucible as an allegory for what was happening to creators in the 1950s. By using this setting he managed to effectively critique his own society without exposing himself to retaliation.
Google Sites
Report abuse