3.4 Setting
3.4 Setting
Embedded Files
Describe the setting by citing key details from the text
Chapters: the exit 8 Big Top Mall and video arcade; the littlest big top on earth; gone; artists; shapes in the clouds; imagination; the loneliest gorilla in the world; tv; the nature show
Describe the setting by citing key details from the text
Chapters: the exit 8 Big Top Mall and video arcade; the littlest big top on earth; gone; artists; shapes in the clouds; imagination; the loneliest gorilla in the world; tv; the nature show
The setting is the time and place of a story.
It sets the scene and mood for a literary work.
The setting of a story can be a real geographical location or a fictional, imaginative place. 1
There are three important elements of a setting:
1. Time: Time is when the story takes place.
2. Place: Place is where the story occurs.
3. Mood: The mood is the feeling created by the time and place. 1
Many times the setting highlights the key elements of the plot.2
For example, if a story takes place in a remote spot in the desert, you know that most likely you’re not going to be reading about attending a fancy party or a sports game at a crowded stadium. Readers can make predictions based on the setting, as it provides clues about the story’s direction. You might find mystery in the lonely desert. The story might be about animals and people who live in remote places, or the story might be about the beauty of a remote desert.2
In The Three Little Pigs, one setting—the rickety houses of two of the pigs—supports the plot that the pigs aren’t safe from the big bad wolf. It’s not until the setting changes to the brick house built by the third pig that we see the pigs are safe.2
Watch this video for a brief explanation of how setting influences plot.
Vid: 4.1: The Importance of Setting in a Story
The setting of this story begins in a non-traveling circus at Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade.
The setting of "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate is crucial to the plot of the story. The novel takes place in a shopping mall called the Big Top Mall, where Ivan, a silverback gorilla, has lived for almost his entire life. The mall is located on the outskirts of a small town in the United States, and the setting provides the context for Ivan's life and the other animals that live with him.
This setting influences the plot in several ways.
The confinement of the animals in the mall sets up the central conflict of the novel: Ivan's desire for freedom. Throughout the story, Ivan yearns to return to the jungle, where he was born and raised. His captivity in the mall, therefore, serves as a constant reminder of his captivity and his desire to escape.
The setting also helps shape the relationships among the characters in the novel. The other animals that live in the mall, such as Stella the elephant and Bob the dog, have formed close bonds with Ivan over the years, and their interactions with each other are shaped by their shared experiences of captivity.
The setting of the story is more than just a place; it also represents important issues in our world, such as the exploitation of animals for human entertainment and the importance of animal rights.
Glossary
Captivity: Being kept in a place against one's will, often referring to animals held in zoos or shows
Conflict: A struggle or problem faced by characters in a story; in this case, Ivan's desire for freedom
Exploitation: Taking advantage of someone or something for personal gain; in this context, how animals are used for entertainment
Animal rights: The idea that animals should be treated with respect and have the right to live free from harm and captivity
Summary:
Summary:
The setting is the time (when) and place (where) the story occurs. Together, the time and place of the story establish a mood or environment.
Time: What is the time of the day/year or time period?
Place: Where is most of the story taking place?
Mood: How does the setting of the story make you feel?
The story of The One and Only Ivan takes place in a shopping mall called the Big Top Mall, where Ivan, a silverback gorilla, has lived for almost three decades.
The setting plays a critical role in shaping the plot of the story, as it provides the context for Ivan's life and the relationships between the characters. Additionally, the setting of the story represents important issues in our world, such as the exploitation of animals for human entertainment and the importance of animal rights.
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