On the second page of this chapter there was one specific paragraph that sat with me for the entirety of the chapter. The author was describing that some of our favorite literary characters are who they are because of the PLACE they were in. That there is a undeniable string attached between character and setting. Without it, you don’t have a story that feels real. There would be no “other world” to escape to, which is something I believe most readers look for in fiction. It also reminded me a lot of Groff’s story in BASS. The intricate details she provided about her old home and her new one in California shaped the entire story. The solitude she found in the setting is what she needed for her desire and growth as a character. It helped answer the big dramatic question. Also, the setting and its description made the story feel live-able. I felt like the character in the small apartment, running the streets of California, and even working at her part-time job. Although setting can be a subtle addition, it revolutionizes the depth of a character.
Journal #9 (WRT-312)
