#1: Setting: The Soul of a Story Author: Geek_girl72, Location: Earth, The UniversePosted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:11 pm — One of the most important aspects of a good story is the setting; it will provide the backdrop for all the characters and situations, and can underscore both. Choosing the right setting is crucial to telling an effective story, and like all things worth doing, is worth taking the time to do well.
Picking a setting, obviously, is the first step in conveying it. This is not always as easy as it sounds. One of the first things to ask yourself when choosing the right setting is ìHow will this affect the characters?î For example: if your story is character-driven, than the setting should be such that offsets their personalities and traits. A master of this is Alfred Hitchcock, one of the cinematic giants of the 20th century. Practically any Hitchcock film you see focuses on the actions and psychology of its characters and the setting underscores whatís happening inside their heads. Thus the film Suspicion, which alternates between the civilized English countryside and the rugged, dangerous terrain overlooking a tempestuous sea. This emphasizes the violence hidden beneath the fascinating veneer of Johnny, and underscores the tempestuousness of his wifeís feelings as they alternate between fear and love. Character-driven stories require a subtly of touch when incorporating the setting; it should create resonance without alerting the audience too quickly of its presence.
If, on the other hand, your story is moved along by external events, than the setting should emphasize the situation, and the characters should be aware of it. A comment on the setting they find themselves in will create sympathy for the characters as well as draw attention to the encompassing problems they face. Setting in this situation should be almost a character itself, and shouldnít hide behind anything. The novel Jane Eyre is a good example of this. The major events that move the plot forward are beyond the heroineís control, and the setting underscores this. The frequent use of storms, gardens, darkness, and distance are both mirrors to Janeís situation and something she is keenly aware of. In an event-driven story, setting should encompass the characters and serve as a way they understand their situation.
