1. Setting: an approach (based on MAAN and TKAM)
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
Setting: an approach (based on MAAN and TKAM)
Saturday, 24 November 2018

2. How might setting be used?
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
How might setting be used?
A main focus: Explore the different settings of….
As relevant to a specific character or theme

3. Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
What is setting?
Time (ERA)- the historical moment in time in which a novel or play is set.
Time (day)
Location
Material relating to the “sociocultural” location of the text
Mini settings: precise location, weather, buildings, rooms…

4. Identify the significant settings in a text
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
Identify the significant settings in a text
TKAM
The Ewell’s house
The Finch house
The Radley pace
School
Courthouse
Town square
1930s Alabama
Maycomb County
1950s USA
And many more
MAAN
Messina
Sicily
Leonato’s house
The orchard garden
The masked ball (inside or out)
The watch HQ
Church for wedding
The tombside
Night/day
Outside the bedroom window.

5. TKAM character and setting
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
TKAM character and setting
BOB EWELL: unemployed with no hope of employment, drinks his state aid money, single parent, white trash, lazy and dishonest
MAYELLA: poor, mother figure, abused, white – she can’t lose…
TOM: Black. Defined as such and in context of 1930s cannot win. Poor, honest and hardworking

6. If Tom’s colour defines the outcome…
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
If Tom’s colour defines the outcome…
So does Setting in terms of Time ERA, and location
Maycomb is “old” and “tired”
Courthouse roof “sagged”
Can you find other examples of the setting being used to affect the depiction of character or events in the novel?

7. Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
Other settings
Consider the setting for Mrs Dubose and answer these questions:
Why is there such a careful attempt to recreate a Gothic Horror setting here?
How does the setting add to the effect of what is a lesson in bravery?
How does the physical setting relate to the description of the character herself?

8. Compare the settings of the Radley and Ewell place
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
Compare the settings of the Radley and Ewell place
Look at pp of TKAM (ch18). Atticus is keen top establish a setting for the Ewell household. Make a table to look at the elements he introduces and their effect on the reader
Now look at the setting of the Radley household. Use pp and Make the same table for this example.
Now, consider: How does Lee use setting to highlight the character of the two families?
Setting description
Intended effect

9. Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
So, what of MAAN?
One track to consider is night and day. What time of day do the key scenes use?
Scene
Time
effect
1.1
Day
All is open and lacking in deceit and mystery.
2.1
Evening/night (after the “great supper”)
Intrigue and mystery. Masks hide intention and desire from all
2.3/3.1
The deceit is light hearted
3.2
evening
Fit for John’s plotting
3.3
past midnight
Right for deceit and ill antics
4.1
Day time
All is in the open – allows the Friar to note? B&B declare love
5.3
night
Claudio’s darkest grief
5.4
Happy ending.

10. Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
Indoors or out?
Does the use of John’s chambers for his plotting in 1.3 add to his intrigue?
Is it significant the both Beatrice and Benedick are gulled in much the same location? Where is this?

11. Time ERA 16th century attitudes require women to be modest.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
Time ERA
16th century attitudes require women to be modest.
There was a powerful Queen on the throne
There is a strict hierarchy which Shakespeare seems to challenge somewhat at the end of the play
The plot is uncovered by the lower classes
The plot is derived from a Roman comedy. Claudio and Hero are types. They have to behave in a certain manner to achieve a happy ending.

12. Jonathan Peel JLS 2016
Now its your turn
You can apply these ideas to any set text you are reading: OMAM, Macbeth , King of the castle and so on.
Make this part of your regular thought process about all texts you read.