Well, think about a novel set in an old, dilapidated mansion. The creaking floors, the musty smell, and the dimly lit corridors all add to a sense of mystery and unease. This is how the settings of a novel work to create the overall mood. They are like the backdrop against which the characters' emotions play out. If the setting is a lively carnival, it will bring a mood of joy and excitement.
The settings can directly create the mood. For example, a dark, spooky forest in a horror novel immediately sets a scary mood.
The settings in 'Frankenstein' greatly contribute to the overall mood. For instance, the Arctic setting gives a feeling of extreme isolation. It's a vast, white expanse where the characters are cut off from the rest of the world. This isolation mirrors the emotional and mental states of the main characters, like Victor and the monster. It makes the story feel desolate and hopeless.
The San Francisco setting, with its foggy days and cool climate, can create a somewhat melancholic and dreamy mood. The city's beauty and yet its underlying sense of loneliness are reflected in the characters' emotions.
The home settings add a nostalgic mood. The detailed descriptions of old - fashioned furniture and family heirlooms remind readers of simpler times. It makes the characters' lives seem more grounded in tradition, which gives a sense of stability and comfort to the overall mood of the novels.
The idyllic English countryside settings often create a sense of tranquility and timelessness. It gives an impression of a stable world.
The urban settings create a sense of danger and mystery. The big cities with their hidden alleys and bustling crowds can hide a lot of secrets. It makes the reader feel that anything could be lurking around the corner.
In 'phone booth', the setting of the phone booth itself is very important. It's a small, confined space which gives a sense of claustrophobia and isolation. This helps create a tense and uneasy mood as the character is trapped there. In 'pulp fiction', the various settings like the diner, the apartment, etc., all contribute to the overall seedy and unpredictable mood of the movie. Each place has its own unique atmosphere that adds to the film's charm.
The Christmas settings create a sense of warmth and festivity at first. But then, the mysteries that unfold within this setting add a contrast. For example, in 'The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding', the Christmas party and the pudding are part of the cozy setting, but then there's a mystery to solve which creates an uneasy mood against the backdrop of celebration.
Well, in many of his stories, the settings are ordinary places that take on a menacing quality. A small town that should be a place of safety becomes a place of horror. The familiarity of a home, like in 'The Amityville Horror' - style settings in some of his works, is turned on its head. The home becomes a place where the walls seem to have eyes and the attic or basement holds unspeakable terrors. The settings make the reader constantly on edge, not knowing when the ordinary will turn into the extraordinary and terrifying.
The isolated small - town settings create a feeling of claustrophobia. Since there's not much escape, it intensifies the sense of dread. For example, in 'Under the Dome', the town being cut off from the outside world makes every threat within the dome seem more menacing.
The settings in a novel can create the mood. For example, a dark and gloomy castle can make the story feel mysterious and foreboding. It also provides a backdrop for the characters' actions. If it's a busy city street, characters can interact with different people and situations there. Moreover, the setting can be a symbol. A decaying house might symbolize the decline of a family.