Setting

-Setting indicates the time and place and also the where and when of a literary text; however, the use of setting differs in fiction and plays. Setting in fiction sets the tone of the story, as well as the time and place. For example, in Pride and Prejudice, Austen uses the setting to present the social classes in which the characters live. With her use of setting, the reader understands how the Bennets fit into society, as opposed to Mr. Bingley. In plays, setting is mainly for the purpose of the physical set on stage. The playwright must keep in mind the setting of the scene and how it should look while he writes. For example, in Hamlet, Shakespeare writes about the setting before each scene.  Act I scene i: "[Elsinore. A platform before the castle.] This lets the director of the play, as well as the reader understand how each scene should be set up. Although the use of setting differs in fiction and plays, the main purpose of setting is to indicate to the reader the time and place of which the story is taking place.