1. Identify the setting and explain how it influences the story or how it reflects some aspect of the protagonist’s character. For each aspect of the setting, use a quotation that explains the importance of the setting in relation to the story or protagonist.
10 comments:
The setting of the novel Stones is a very important element that greatly helps the
development of the story. The surroundings throughout the story were continually changing;
however there had been three very important places visited numerously as the novel
continued. These settings included Garnets temporary mobile home, Hannah’s cabin, and the
old African Methodist church. Garnets mobile home was introduced in around the middle of
the novel, and was where Garnet first hears Hannah’s cries. As the story continued,
this sitting was used for when Garnet would dream about the death of Hannah, and would
physically hear her death re-enact every night. The event that occurred in this location such as
the ghost men yelling phases such as “Eighty wish” (Bell 100), was what had convinced Garnet
to tell Raphaella about the encounters. This had helped the development of the plot because
by Garnet telling Raphaella was what began the investigating of Hannah’s death. This second
setting where the climax took place was Hannah’s cabin. Hannah’s cabin was used in the climax
when Raphaella and Garnet decided to digging up the cabin floor to find Hannah’s skeleton.
Garnet and Raphaella spend any hours in the cabin when finding the Hannah’s remains,
however this location was left when Raphaella said “They’re here” (Bell 253) and quietly
fled the setting. This had also helped the development of the story because without the setting,
the location of Hannah’s body would have to be elsewhere, and the climax would be
altered. The final important location that impacted the plot was the old African Methodist
church. This setting is significant on the story, because this was where Garnet first heard
“Eighty wish...go back...no! Then, Stone...stone.” (Bell 54), which was also he first come face to
face with the supernatural. This location, helped with the development of the story because
without this trigger incident, the plot would be without a problem that need to be resolved,
which is vital when writing a novel. As a result, setting is more important than one my think,
because without a setting story’s would not exist.
I agree with Sarah that the setting of the novel is a very important element; however I believe that Hannah’s cabin was the old church. This is easily confused because when Hannah was still alive it was her cabin but after her death it became the church to many of the town’s people. Also, there is only a forest separating the church yard and Garnet’s trailer park so therefore I think that the setting should only be considered the area around the trailer park and the church since they are in close proximity. I can prove this because in the novel it says “I parked the van off the side of the road by the stone monument.” (Bell 245).Which gives proof that Garnet and Raphella are at the Churchyard since there is a monument with the names of people who had first founded the town. Also, a page after it says “After a full afternoon of panting and sweating, we had cleared the floor of the tent—once the floor of Hannah’s cabin—down to black earth.” (Bell 246). Both these passages give evidence that the cabin/ church are the same places. This is why I think there is only one major setting in the novel.
I agree with both sarah and Kristen. However i do believe that Garnet's trailer was an important setting within the novel. As sarah said that this was the place that Garnet had the majority of his dreams that involved hannah. However the night Garnet was in his trailer the spirit men had come into his cabin. I agree with Kristen too because outside of his trailer was also important because that was the place where Garnet and Raphaella had seen Hannah walking down the path. "She's coming from your direction.
I peered south along the trail...In the distance a faint moaning appeared out of the dark." (Bell 162)
1. I agree with Sarah and I disagree with Kristen. I agree with Sarah because a lot of the plot takes place in those three locations. I disagree with Kristen because Hannah's cabin is in the middle of the forest and it is not the Church. It is not the church because after the attack from the ghosts they go to the Church to bury Hannah beside her husband. If her cabin really was the church than would she not be happy since she is already buried near Jubal? I also believe they are two different places because later they go back and visit her cabin and they see that the forest is all happy and good now. Then Garnet rebuilds her wall that was destroyed by the ghosts.
Even though the setting of the novel Stones constantly changes, it mostly takes place in both modern-day and during a time when tragic events happened over 150 years ago. The setting changes between the protagonist, Garnet’s, mobile home, his father’s house, an old, abandoned Methodist church and the old cabin of a prejudice affected ghost named Hannah. This has a great affect on the story. Even though all of the different settings are introduced in different parts in the story, they all influence the story in many ways. These include adding to the relationship between Garnet and his love Raphaella, his relationship between his parents and the main conflict in the story with Hannah. The settings add to the relationship between Garnet and Raphaella because the dangers of the old church and the cabin make them feel closer. They both feel unsafe and feel like they need to help Hannah when they are in these settings. It makes them become closer emotionally. The relationships between Garnet and his parents are also affected by the multiple settings in Stones. This is most evident when Garnet’s mother who is a journalist has to go to a war stricken country to write a report. She is beaten and returns home in a wheelchair. As most likely assumed, this had a huge affect on the family by bringing them very close. The main conflict in the story is affected greatly by the settings in the story. In Stones, since the topic is about prejudice, it takes place when that was most evident which is over 150 years ago. The hate and injustice carries on into the future which shows physically that the past has a great affect on the future. These all prove how great of an impact the setting in a story is.
I do not agree with Kristen that Hannah’s cabin and the church were the same place. “ The cabin-or whatever it was- had one room, about ten feet by twelve, with a dozen or so benches in the middle, most of them arranged in two banks with an aisle up the middle, a few overturned.” (Bell 49)This describes the church as being an intact building that was not falling apart. . The church was located on the intersection of two streets across from a monument that recognized the people who had settled there many years ago and Hannah’s cabin is supposed to be in the woods. “I took a breath and walked into the zone to the ruins of what had probably been a small cabin.” (Bell 129) This describes a bit of what Hannah’s cabin looked like and it says that there were only ruins left of the cabin and the church was an enclosed building. The church and Hannah’s cabin were two different locations and not the cabin turned into the church.
William bell created visuals to one’s mind with the great description of setting. This is important because without the setting, the element of the 5 W`s and 1 H would be incomplete. Confusion will erupt their minds, because they will constantly be wondering where the characters are. One of the settings in this novel is explained in the rising action. The author wants to create an atmosphere of relation and serenity. Garnet and Raphaella are stressed about what occurred at the old church. They tried to comfort each other with love in between. “W while later, we were walking hand in hand in Tudhope Park, along the edge of the lake away from the main beach. Two toddles stood in the shallows with their mother, tossing bits of b read to a family of ducks. While farther out the farther used a stick for a golden retriever. The afternoon sun blazed down on us, and a cool breeze blew in off the lake. We sat on top of a picnic table, looking past old willows with twisted, gnarled trunks out over the green rippled water where a few powerboats, churned line of white foam behind them.” (Bell 141) One would imagine the scenery of this semi-romantic and calm scene. It is important to the story, because the setting William Bell is elaborating on Garnet and Raphaella’s strong relationship with each other, therefore the scenery must be reassured. It helped an individual comprehend that garnet and Raphaella are always there for one another no matter what. In conclusion, there are visuals, comprehension and atmosphere within the setting to make it important in the novel Stones.
I agree with Kirisa that the setting engages into different time periods. The reader gets to experience the affect time has to one. Circumstances have improved, as descrimination has been decreased. It is important to the story, because one acknowledges more about history.
I agree with Sarah. The setting of the story is important. It can help us picture where they are. The setting influences the story because it would not make sense if we did not know the setting. The author has to include the setting in the story or the reader will get confused.
I agree with Sarah but disagree with Kristen. Sarah is right because the places where the most important parts of the story happen are the Church, Hannah's home, and Garnet's trailer. However I disagree with Kristen because the church and Hannah's house are in two completely different places. I know this because in the trigger incident of the book Garnet sleeps in the old church to stay warm but near the end of the book they describe the cabin as broken down. A broken down house would not keep Garnet warm. In addition, After they get Hannah's remains they run to the church yard. If what you said was true they would not be running anywhere because they were already in that location. This is why I agree with Sarah but not Kristen.
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