The Importance of Setting in Jack Londons "To Build a Fire" and Kate Chopins "The Storm"
1456 words
6 pages
A good writer’s depiction of setting positions the reader right into the story. In "To Build a Fire" by Jack London, the setting plays a significant role throughout the entire short story. London uses certain techniques to establish the atmosphere of the story. By introducing his readers to the setting, prepares them for a tone that is depressed and frightening. Isolated by the hostile environment of the Yukon in sub-freeing temperatures, a man falls victim to the unrelenting and unforgiving power of nature, London shows us how the main character of the story is completely unaware of his surroundings. The only world the man is truly accustomed to is his own. Never being exposed to such a harsh climate draws one to conclude that the
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The setting does not regard the man as important and is unconcerned with his suffering and death.
Chopin uses setting to not only influence the reader’s senses, but also, to illustrate the actions and feelings of her characters, to thrust the reader into the sense of being in the storm that is baring down on her characters. This story takes place in a small town located in Louisiana, At Friedheimer's store, but the most important setting is Calixta and Bobinôt's home, when Bobinôt is not there. The home itself isn't described that much: it has a "Small front gallery… dining room, the sitting room, the general utility room, and a bedroom that holds a "white, monumental bed" and looked "dim and mysterious".
The story begins with Bobinot and Bibi inside the local store. As they attempt to leave they notice storm clouds approaching the town. Deciding to wait out the storm, they remain inside. Meanwhile, Calixta is at home sewing and unaware of the storm. Soon realizing the storm is approaching, she begins frantically running about the house closing windows and doors and retrieving clothes left on the porch. Setting in this story is the catalyst to the passion that occurs between Alcee and Calixta. The storm occurs just as Alcee rides by. The storm forces Alcee and