The setting of a narrative is the environment in which the narrative takes place. Setting is mainly created through the use of mise en scene, but many other codes such as audio and camerawork can also add to it’s understanding.
The macro-setting of a narrative can refer to it’s overall setting (such as Los Angeles in 2019) and the micro-setting can be used to discuss the setting of individual scenes (such as an office boardroom at night).
Sometimes a setting is integral, which means that the setting used is necessary for the narrative to work. The setting may setup the rules of the narrative that is needed for the plot to progress or creates the conflict between characters. Other times setting is more of a background that has less influence on the events of the narrative.
More than just the time and place of a narrative, there can be many elements of a narrative’s setting. Depending on the story, sometimes certain elements can be more integral than others.
Where the narrative takes place, the physical location. This could include a galaxy far far away or Times Square in New York City.
Star Wars is set in a galaxy far, far away.
The opening of 28 Days Later is set in central London, a realistic setting for the audience.
The time of the setting is when the narrative is set. The setting could be historical, futuristic or contemporary. The time of a setting could also refer to how long a time the narrative takes place over. A narrative could span over 100’s of years or just 24 hours.
The place of a setting may be so fantastical that time may be irrelevant. For instance, it doesn’t matter when The Lion King is set, it’s a kind of parable that sits outside of time.
Time can also refer to the time of day of which the narrative or scene is set or the day of the week. ‘The Breakfast Club’ is set during a Saturday detention, which leaves the characters alone within the school. ‘A Nightmare On Elm Street’ is mostly set during night time.
‘The Breakfast Club’ is set at a Saturday detention
‘A Nightmare On Elm Street’ is set mainly during nighttime