An iceberg in the middle of the Antarctic Ocean, a planet far off in the universe, or even an old worn down ranch in the middle of Louisiana. All of these are examples of setting, and each one has more power than many readers realize. The setting of a story not only provides the reader with a visual representation of what is to come, it also affects the emotions a character feels, creates conflict, and influences the overall theme of the story. A story is at the will of the setting, and so is the reader as they go through the journey created by the author. As one may feel joy on a bright sunny day, or sadness when the skies are gray and gloomy, the setting in which an individual resides can affect one’s emotions. In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” the main character, Mrs. Mallard, is faced with a life altering situation in the beginning of the story when she is informed that her husband perished in a railroad accident. Upon …show more content…
A critical component in making a theme truly shine, is the setting in which the story takes place. For example, Kate Chopin’s stories have a strong theme of women’s independence. In the story “Athenaise” specifically, the idea presented, of a woman choosing her own destiny, would not have been a topic as strongly impressed upon readers if the story took place in the present. During the time period presented, as Athenaise herself stated, “It was customary for girls to marry when the right opportunity came” (Chopin). Nowadays, though this may still be common in some countries, it is not an idea that many readers are familiar with having to obey. Societal pressure forced Athenaise to be married, but society did not make the choice for her to leave, Athenaise did. This solidified the theme of women independence that Chopin was trying to display through her story all because of one word,