Character - check
Plot - check
Setting
isn’t just where, it is when
this isn’t all that setting is
setting provides a bunch of RULES for the story
ie in Man of Steel - there is an alien planet, aliens, super powers, etc.
the setting of the movie ALLOWS for all those things without the audience being skeptical
things seem fake if the setting isn’t built correctly
our expectations for what CAN happen come from setting, among a few other things
eg Disney movies are set in places where UNREAL things are expected - ie talking animals, etc
in general, the setting brings possibilities and likelihoods and expectations
ie cemetery - brings a particular set of story possibilities
a good setting can be a shortcut for the reader to already set things up
setting evokes MOOD and ATMOSPHERE
using words to enhance our sense of place will also give us a deeper sense of feeling about a place - VICARIOUS (remember?)
setting can be SYMBOLIC - there are some CLASSIC symbolic elements in settings
Friday the 13th (movie) the setting is Camp Crystal Lake - what could it symbolize?
could symbolize isolation, fun (ruined), crystal ball - seeing things more clearly? realizing what they did? the water can also represent some kind of religious baptism and then a rebirth - the water is broken around him as he emerges
the most common settings that are symbols are obvious
eg forest/wilderness = no rules, danger
eg city by night = danger/crime/craziness
eg farm = simplicity/honesty
What could THIS setting represent? (where THIS = any given story you’re reading)
BLOG ASSIGNMENT: write a descriptive paragraph about a place you know, or like, or hate, that you think could be a) well-described and b) symbolic in some way
Brainstorm a list of descriptive words that would be useful in that paragraph
Think about phrases and terms that will help
Think about types of description - FIVE SENSES - can you hit
Details in the place - be specific - good description is all about details
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