The Language of the Setting

Since fantasy stories take us to imaginary worlds we can never travel to, it is important for a fantasy writer to use language that will make the reader feel like they can picture the setting. In other words, the author uses convincing details to make a made up place feel real for the reader (even if this place is not fantastical). A good reader pays careful attention to the language used to describe a given place to visualize it and understand its emotional impact (i.e. is this place frightening or safe, awe-inspiring or dangerous, etc.).

We will examine the language used to describe the old Professor’s house in Chapter 1 of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by paying careful attention to what I can see, smell, taste, hear, and feel. We will look for adjectives used to describe the house. We will record evidence of how the characters feel or think about the house, and will identify how the house makes us feel.  We will create The Language of Setting Chart-Old Professor’s House. We will fill in each box with descriptive details from Chapter 1. :The Language of Setting Chart-Old Professor’s House. Setting: The Old Professor’s House

What can you see, touch, smell, taste, hear, and feel in this place? Lots of old books, a wireless radio, a suit of armor, a harp, a big wardrobe with a looking glass in the door, a dead blue-bottle, long fur coats. 2. List any adjectives used to describe the place. Towering Mysterious Unexpected Spare Long Green Old Big 3. Record any textual evidence that tells you how the characters feel about this place. Peter: “’I tell you this is the sort of house where no one’s going to mind what we do. Anyway they won’t hear us. It’s about ten minutes’ walk from here down to that dining room . . .’” (p. 3) Lucy: “It was a far larger house than she had ever been in before and the thought of all those long passages and rows of doors leading into empty rooms was beginning to make her feel a little creepy.” (p. 3) 4. How does the description of the place make you feel? The old Professor’s house makes me feel uncertain and cautious. It feels empty and mysterious. The strange objects like the suit of armor and the harp make me feel like it’s special and peculiar.

Think Check "How can I examine the language an author uses to give a place in a story emotional impact?" You need to look for what you can see, touch, taste, smell, and hear in a setting. You also need to pay careful attention to the adjectives and any text evidence about how characters feel about a place. Then, you need to think about how this place makes you feel.

Guided Practice You will chart and examine the descriptive language in Chapter 2 of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe that describes Tumnus’ cave.  You will use a 4-box chart to record the sensory experience of the place, any adjectives used to describe the place, textual evidence letting us know how the characters feel about this place, and information about how the place makes you feel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns69SiLayNs

 Setting: Tumnus’ Cave What can you see, touch, smell, taste, hear, and feel in this place? Wood fire, tongs, tea kettle, teacups, dishes, carpet, table, dresser, mantelpiece, family pictures, books and bookshelves, eggs, honey cake, toast and sardines, flute 2. List any adjectives used to describe the place. Dry Clean Reddish Wonderful Neat 3. Record any textual evidence that tells you how the characters feel about this place. “Lucy had never been in a nicer place.” (p. 15) 4. How does the description of the place make you feel? The description of Tumnus’ cave makes me feel at home. The familiar objects, such as the family pictures, books, and furniture make me feel cozy and comfortable. The food is comforting and the fire is warm. Especially in contrast to the old Professor’s house, which is bare and quiet with strange objects, Tumnus’ house is full of familiar, comforting objects.

Reflective Practice We will come back together to share the language used to make Narnia believable and real to the reader.  We will discuss how the descriptive language differed when Lucy and Edmund experienced Narnia.