What is geography?
In this case, geography can be either the time or the place in which a story is set. While this may seem like a superficial detail at first, geography can effect a story in many different ways. Geography can give us an idea of what will happen in the story; for example, if a story is set out on moors or in the swamp, this immediately gives us connotations of horror and mystery, a dry arid desert gives an image of survival and desperation. The setting of the story, and how it is described, both gives us ideas about what might happen in the story, and develops an atmosphere.
Geography can also be representative of characters. The place where we find a character can be representative of what they're like, or a change in setting can show a change in a character. For example, in the story of the Grinch, he lives in a dark cave on top of a mountain. This gives the reader an idea of what the Grinch is like (isolated and evil). Or, for an example of change in setting, take Harry Potter. At first, Harry is in the city, and is unhappy with his life. However, when he moves to Hogwarts, a castle hidden away in nature in Scotland, he becomes happier. This change in landscape is also representative of a change in Harry.
So, geography does matter, in that it can be representative of the plot, the themes, or the characters in a story.
A scene from Indiana Jones-The geography of the film already gives us some idea what to expect. It being an a cave gives us connotations of adventure and danger.
Apologies there is supposed to be a link here to an actually rather thrilling clip but unfortunately I'm not tech-savvy enough to imbed it so ah here's a link to Jersh Mercker's weebly page:
http://settingthescene.weebly.com/
Geography can also be representative of characters. The place where we find a character can be representative of what they're like, or a change in setting can show a change in a character. For example, in the story of the Grinch, he lives in a dark cave on top of a mountain. This gives the reader an idea of what the Grinch is like (isolated and evil). Or, for an example of change in setting, take Harry Potter. At first, Harry is in the city, and is unhappy with his life. However, when he moves to Hogwarts, a castle hidden away in nature in Scotland, he becomes happier. This change in landscape is also representative of a change in Harry.
So, geography does matter, in that it can be representative of the plot, the themes, or the characters in a story.
A scene from Indiana Jones-The geography of the film already gives us some idea what to expect. It being an a cave gives us connotations of adventure and danger.
Apologies there is supposed to be a link here to an actually rather thrilling clip but unfortunately I'm not tech-savvy enough to imbed it so ah here's a link to Jersh Mercker's weebly page:
http://settingthescene.weebly.com/