Examining novels
Beryl Clarke, Contributor

Today we are continuing our examination of the novel by taking a first look at setting. Setting refers to the historical, geographical and physical location of the story. I am sure that you realise that where, when and under what physical conditions a story takes place must affect it in some way. A story set, for example, in Iraq or Afghanistan or even in our country at this period, would, it is likely, include and reflect the fact that violence is a part of the daily life.

A story set in Jamaica today would, no doubt, include references to our recent success in the Beijing Olympics, as well as the economic turmoil in the world. The physical appearance of the area and the culture of the people would contribute to how the story develops. For this reason, you should always take the time to find out about the setting of any novel you are studying.

Historical setting

When we talk about the historical setting we are referring to the period - early 19th century or 1480 to 1700, or the beginning of the 21st century, with its social, cultural, economic and political conditions. Through knowledge of the above, you may be able to explain the attitudes and behaviours of the characters.

It also helps to know where a narrative is set. One does not expect certain occurrences in a hot, tropical location as opposed to a bitterly cold, snowy one. Then too, the size of the town or district may have an impact on relationships, movement, job prospects, forms of entertainment and so on.

Physical setting

Physical setting deals with matters like time of day or night, the weather, being inside or outside of a building, condition - that is whether it is dilapidated or sound, furnishing and size of the building. So, when you read a story for the first time, just try to assess whether setting has a substantial effect or not.

Every novel has characters. They may be as few or many, as the writer or creator sees fit. Your job is first to identify the major ones, starting with the protagonist. This is usually the one most prominently featured; the one with the leading role. Then you must consider each character to decide, through what he says and does, as well as what others say about him, what sort of a person he or she is. Remember that you have to look at the overall picture and make your conclusion in a balanced manner, because the character may not be presented as completely bad or completely good. You should notice too, whether the characters are fully developed or are one-dimensional or flat, bringing out only one trait.

There must be a narrator

A story must be told by someone, that is, there has to be a narrator. One of your jobs is to identify that person or character and decide whether the narrative is being told by a first- person (I or we) narrator or a third-person (he, she or they) narrator. Is the story told from a wide perspective or a narrow one where we get only one point of view? Is the narrator only an observer or is he or she also a participant in the action? Does the narrator understand the significance of the events he or she is describing? This is a question that you must answer, especially if the narrator is a child.

Please be mindful that you have to evaluate the accuracy of the narrator's view of events. Can he be trusted to give a truthful version or is he biased? How much does he understand of what is happening? You must also be aware that there is a narrator, called the omniscient narrator, because he or she knows everything. Also, the author sometimes intrudes with information that he/she wishes us to have.

Now let us turn our attention to style. Each writer, just like each of us as individuals, has his or her own way of expressing ideas. Because of this, you are required to examine words, images, references and even the way sentences are structured. Have you ever been able to tell what social or educational group someone belongs to from the person's speech? You can do the same from the written word. The narrator's tone can help you to know his attitude to a character or events. It is usually through the tone, the style and the language that the writer lets us know if the story is happy or sad, serious or comic, satiric or something else.

Symbols are important

Symbols are an important part of some stories. When you recognise one, you should try to find out the author's reason for including it in his work. How one recognises a symbol is a question that is often asked. If something is mentioned once or twice in a story, it is not likely to be a symbol. If, however, it is repeated several times, is referred to again and again, and it makes its appearance over and over, you can safely assume that it is one.

All stories have themes. The English literature syllabus no longer has a theme section. We are to be able, nevertheless, to discover the central idea/s or themes in the novels that we study. Carefully trace the main concern/s of the writer; consider the relationship between the title and the main theme and think of the ways the themes are brought out and through which characters.

In our next lesson we will meet David Storm. Did you ask where? If you do not know it means that you have not yet started to read The Chrysalids. Do get started. Until then, continue to prepare for your success and God bless!

Veronica Campbell-Brown (left) greets students at Vere Technical High in Clarendon, during the Olympic homecoming tour, recently. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Beryl Clarke teaches at Glenmuir High School.