Setting is an integral element of any story and it acts as a platform for the unfolding of a narrative. It includes the time, environment, and circumstance in which the characters live, act, and interact. An immersive setting establishes the mood and atmosphere in the story, influences plot and character development, and enhances the entire narrative.
Read on to learn more about the impact of the setting on your story.
Impact of Setting on Characters
A well-crafted setting is a dynamic force that can influence characters in so many ways.
Affects Choices and Actions
A character’s choices and actions are often triggered by the world built around the story. The environmental, social, political, cultural, psychological, and emotional conditions surrounding him/her plays a huge role in influencing his/her actions and decisions. For instance, the availability of infrastructures such as buildings, technology, or roads will shape a character’s communication pattern and behaviour. More so, a character may decide to conform or rebel against societal norms and values or class structures depending on how it affects him/her.
Influences Dialogues and Conversations
The cultural and historical background infused into a narrative influences character dialogue and conversation. Characters might use certain accents and dialects or idiomatic expressions to display the region or period in which the story took place. Technological advancements and limitations also inform characters’ interactions to a great extent. For instance, it is easy to know a developed or underdeveloped society based on the characters’ conversations. Also, dialogues and conversations may reflect historical events, cultural movements, power dynamics, and social etiquette just like in the novel, ‘The Great Gatsby’. In the story, the characters’ dialogue depicts the opulence and excess of 1920s New York.
Informs Character Transformation and Growth
Settings can transform and evoke growth in a character. Certain socioeconomic factors and cultural exposures can broaden a character’s perspective of life, become a driving force, and alter his/her view concerning life. Geographical limitations, harsh climatic conditions, or natural disasters are also factors that can inform a character’s decision and instill a resilient mindset in them. The magical aspect of a great setting is the emotional connection it creates which can influence a character’s motivation and decision.
Influences Emotional Behaviour
As already mentioned, a captivating story world impacts greatly on a character’s emotions. Most settings evoke emotions that trigger a change in the atmosphere. A character’s mood and actions are subject to the condition of the environment. Some settings may determine the rate or extent to which a hurting or grieving character gets healed. The physical comfort, happiness, or peace a character enjoys has a lot to do with the setting. Also, if a character shares a connection or bond with his/her community, it will be reflected in their emotional behaviour. For instance, a patriotic fellow will go overboard to protect the interest of his/her nation irrespective of who gets offended.
Impact of Setting on Plot Development
Here are a few ways in which setting can impact plot development
Creates Plot Twist
By incorporating a setting-driven plot twist into a story, authors can surprise their readers and bring them to a level of uncertainty. An unexpected tension or conflict will occur in a story if a character is caught up in a remote setting without help. Similarly, a hidden location such as an underground or secret room will likely spring up surprising information or an age-long past event. Such settings deepen the story and make the narrative engaging.
Enhances Overall Theme
Generally, the setting of your plot is a good platform that enhances the story’s theme by establishing tone, illustrating historical and cultural views, and reflecting characters. A setting creates vivid pictures and an atmosphere that reinforces the theme of the narrative. It also has a major influence on traditions, character traits, social norms, and values that enhance thematic resonance. Additionally, the world built around a narrative may provide commentaries on historical events, criticize social norms, and convey the writer’s message.
Affects the Story’s Timing
Actions in a story may either accelerate or slow down depending on the setting involved. While a quick and snappy dialogue or an action scene can speed up the pace of a story, certain setting descriptions could either slow down or accelerate the pace. For instance, different historical periods or actions in an isolated setting can influence pacing by being a bit slower. Contrarily, modern technological developments have a way of accelerating interaction and timing.
Conclusion
A setting goes far beyond the physical background in which the story is acted on. It includes the physical, social, historical, and emotional worlds on which the narrative is built. To create immersive worlds, ensure to bring the story to life by incorporating vivid descriptions and sensory details. Most importantly, adequate research, accuracy, naturality, and consistency are key practices that can help to craft an immersive story world.