AP Literature and Composition Writing about Setting A process for thinking about setting • • • • Highlight the most extensive or important descriptions of physical place. Underline the most telling words and phrases. Notice the details about physical locales, such as houses, rooms, and outdoor areas. Explain the relationship of one or more of the main characters to the physical place. Explain the influence that place exerts on the characters. Arrange the main events in chronological order. Indicate where each major event occurs. Mark passages where a character's emotional state affects the way the passage of time is presented to us. List historical and factual circumstances and/or characters that occur in the work. Explain their importance and their relationship with themes and characters in the book. List the patterns of behavior that characterize the social environment of the work. Mark the scenes in which the author or characters express approval or disapproval of these patterns of behavior. Explain the influence one or more of these patterns have on a character or characters. Mark sections that contribute to atmosphere. Underline key words and phrases. List the traits of the atmosphere. • How detailed are the visual descriptions of the setting? • • • • • • • • Can you mentally visualize the setting early on in the story? • How much readjustment of your mental image of the setting is necessary throughout the course of the story? • • What connections are established between the setting and the characters? • Do the locations bring the characters together or separate them? • How important are the locations to the relationships between characters? How completely are objects in the setting described? • How important are these objects to the action? • How important are they to the plot development? • How reflective are the objects to the mental states of the characters? • Is there any symbolism connected with these objects? • How important to the plot is the time of year and/or day? Why does it matter? • What is the socioeconomic level of the characters? • • How is this related in setting description? • What effect does this have on the plot as a whole? • What effect does this have on the choices made by the characters? What are the cultural and religious conditions of the setting? • How important are these to the story? • What reaction or response do the characters have to these conditions? • How do these conditions affect the characters’ judgment?