Siti Nurohmah_Theoretical Foundation

Chapter II
Theoretical Foundation

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SETTING AND THEME IN SHORT STORY ‘THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER’

A. Definiton of Setting

Setting is one of elements to build a fiction. What is definition of setting? According to Abrams (1999: 284) “setting of narrative is the general locale, historical time, and social circumstances in which its action occurs.” It refers to three important points when the fiction occurs. Those are "General locale" implies that place might be flexible—it could encompass more than just one specific location. "Historical time" means that the story's position on a time line of history affects the events and characters in the story. And "social circumstances" indicates that perhaps there is more to the concept of setting than simply time and place. It means that how we fit into the context of the society in which we are members connects to this concept of where and when.

On the other hand, Aminuddin (1991: 76) stated “setting is background of event in fiction that is not only about place and time, but also the event has physical and physiological function”. Setting is not only has physical function to make the logical fiction, but also has physiological function that create atmosphere of fiction to make the reader can feel it.

From those opinions of the expert, the writer tends to agrees with Aminuddin’s opinion. That is about setting it is not only about the element of setting itself but also about the function of it that makes the logical fiction which can convey the atmosphere of fiction to the reader. Thus, it can help the reader in understanding the fiction logically and also can more feel the atmosphere of it.