Introduction
The importance of the setting in literary context can be seen among the most important factors, driving the direction of the work. In that regard, the setting in a work is not merely an indication of place and time, rather than it is their impact on the plot, the interactions of the characters, and its theme. Nevertheless, the degree of such influence might vary where there are stories in which the setting might be replaced in without affecting the development of other elements. In that regard, it is not a reference to the setting as a measurement for the quality of the essay. It is an indication that such element despite being equally present in different literature works might serve different purposes.
Analyzing the setting in two different short stories, “The Destructors” by Graham Greene and “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connel, the differences in the significance of the setting can be specifically evident. In Greene’s short story, the setting serves as a partial explanation for the story’s conflict, being a major element of influence, around which the story was built. In Connel’s work, it can be stated that the main element is mainly the theme, whereas the setting is mainly insignificant. In that regard, this paper analyzes both works in the context of their setting, arguing that the perception of Greene’s story is linked to the setting in which it takes place.
The Theme
The differences in the themes of the short stories become apparent when they are analyzed as stand-alone elements. In that regard, the theme in Connel’s story can be considered self sufficient, explained and understood through the main the interactions between Rainsford and the protagonist Zaroff, which is violence and cruelty. The theme in Greene’s work, on the other hand, cannot be considered self-sufficient, where the interactions of the characters and the conflict in the story cannot be understood at once. In that regard, the purpose of the Connel in demonstrating the violence and its condemnation is directly related to the theme, while in Greene’s story it is not. Summarizing the plot of “The Destructors”, it is revolves around the destroying the house of “Old Misery”. The interactions of the characters, in that regard, are neither sufficient to explain the purpose of the author, nor to connect it to the purpose of the story. Other elements were necessary to outline the author’s main theme, which explains the actions of the story. In that sense, one important element is the setting.
The Setting
The setting in “The Destructors” is London nine years after the end of the World War II (Greene 1), where the city still contains traces from bomb blasts, with most buildings being destructed by the blitz. Accordingly, the whole story can be seen built around representing the influence of the setting on the main characters of the play. In that regard, it can be stated that even the choice of the characters are directly related to the setting, where the author chose kids to indicate the severity of such influence. It can be assumed that the behavior of adults in such setting would not be questioned. In that regard, the impact of the setting can be amplified by the fact that most those kids were not old enough to comprehend the war.
In Connel’s story, it can be stated that the setting is largely neutral. Taking place presumably somewhere in the Caribbean, the only aspect that can be seen significant in the setting is its remoteness form civilization. Such remoteness only serves to indicate the desperation of the situation. However, such remoteness does not explain the motives of the characters actions. In that regard, it can be stated that the theme of the story and its purpose would have been clear with another setting being selected. Accordingly, the time period does not play a role in the story, with the theme being explored and understood in the modern time as well.
The Setting as a Driving Force
The role of the setting as a driving force in the story can be seen in “The Destructors”, where the narration shows the shift in the values of the society due to the war. In that regard, while there are characters that create expectation opposite to what occurs, e.g. Trevor and Old Misery, the setting, on the contrary makes the events of in the story common, which can be seen through the Trevor’s reactions to the surprise return of Old Misery or the reaction of the lorry driver to the destruction of the house.
In “The Most Dangerous Game”, the narration is driven by climatic moments in the story, e.g. falling from the yacht, finding people on the island, realizing Zaroff’s game, and the moment in the bedroom. The emphasis on the setting between these moments is descriptive, rather than symbolic. The same can be said about the actions of the characters. Thus, it can be stated that the setting does not drive the plot of the story.
Conclusion
Analyzing the setting in both stories, it can be stated that despite its importance in both cases, its significance is more evident in the Greene’s “The Destructors”. In that story, the setting is not only a sense of place and time, but also an explanatory background, outlining the story’s them and purpose.
Works Cited
Connel, Richard. “The Most Dangerous Game”. 1924. Pearson Custom Publishing. Web.
Greene, Graham. “The Destructors”. 1954. Pearson Custom Publishing. Web.