Literature for Teachers

 

The Significance of Setting in "Short Stories for English Courses"

The source material, primarily the "Introduction" from "Short Stories for English Courses," positions setting as a crucial element in crafting a compelling and effective short story. While the text acknowledges that setting might play a minimal role in certain narratives, it underscores its importance in shaping atmosphere, revealing character, and driving the plot in many instances.

• Setting Encompasses More Than Just Location: The source emphasizes that setting is an "inclusive term" encompassing:

  • Time: The specific period in which a story unfolds.
  • Place: The geographical or physical location.
  • Local Conditions: The social, cultural, or environmental factors unique to the setting.
  • Descriptions of Nature and People: Vivid portrayals that contribute to the overall mood and impact of the setting.

• Atmosphere and Its Impact: The source highlights the importance of crafting a distinct "atmosphere" through setting.

  • Creating a "Feeling" for the Place: Just as the appearance of a mountain range can shift with changing weather, the atmosphere of a story should envelop characters and events, influencing the reader's experience.
  • Local Color: The use of specific language, phrases, and descriptions that evoke the essence of a particular place. The text distinguishes this from creating an "impressionistic" effect, where the writer prioritizes sensory details to convey a dominant mood or impression.

• Setting in Relation to Other Story Elements: The source emphasizes that the significance of setting can vary depending on the type of short story:

  • Plot-Driven Stories: Setting might be less central, serving as a backdrop for the unfolding events. The source cites "The Three Bears" as an example where the woods provide a basic setting, but the reader's imagination primarily fills in the details.
  • Character-Driven Stories: Setting becomes more crucial as the environment shapes characters' actions and motivations. The text argues that, in such stories, characters' interactions with their surroundings reveal their personalities and inner lives.
  • Setting-Dominated Stories: In these narratives, the atmosphere and sensory details take precedence. The source points to Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" as an example where the decaying house and its surroundings evoke a sense of dread and horror, ultimately overshadowing the plot and characters.

• Examples of Setting in the Source Material: The text provides several examples of how authors utilize setting effectively:

  • Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat": The story's opening line establishes a specific time and place ("Poker Flat on the morning of the twenty-third of November, 1850") immediately grounding the narrative in a particular setting.
  • Mary E. Wilkins Freeman's "The Revolt of 'Mother'": While the source doesn't quote directly from this story, it highlights how the setting, likely a rural farmhouse, plays a pivotal role in the central conflict between the husband's desire for a new barn and the wife's longing for a proper house.

In summary, "Short Stories for English Courses" presents setting as a multi-faceted element with the potential to significantly impact a story's effectiveness. The text encourages a nuanced understanding of setting, urging writers and readers to consider its various components and how they contribute to the overall impact of a narrative.