The Narrative Significance of Place

Guest post by Mariia Kukkakorpi.

Have you ever considered how places influence storytelling, shape the atmosphere, or evoke the reader’s emotions? A setting can reveal more about the characters than the reader might initially realize.

For a long time, different places were often regarded as mere backdrops to the action. However, where you place your characters matters, as settings reveal insights about their inhabitants and how they interact with a new environment.

Additionally, carefully chosen settings can bring scenes and emotions vividly to life.

Familiar or Foreign?

Place conveys something profound about characters and their world. Our assumptions about people are shaped more than we realize by the associations tied to where they come from.

For instance, perceptions of someone from New York, London, Hong Kong, or Malawi are deeply rooted in cultural and personal biases.

Readers’ familiarity with a setting—whether well-known or entirely foreign—also shapes how they experience it. Many have impressions of distant places through media, even if they’ve never visited.

For example, a scene set in Brooklyn, New York, might feel immediately recognizable, while one set in South Vietnam could require more descriptive detail to bring it to life.

The type of space—public or private—further impacts the reader’s perspective. Public spaces create a sense of distance, reflecting external interactions, while private spaces draw readers closer, offering glimpses into a character’s personal and hidden side.

Private spaces, such as a character’s home or room, provide a deeper understanding of the character, subtly revealing facets of their inner life that they might not explicitly share. This nuanced approach enriches the storytelling experience.

Aesthetics Matter

Aesthetic choices play a powerful role in shaping our perception of settings, influencing how we interpret the space and its occupants. Vivid descriptions bring a setting to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in its atmosphere.

Colors, textures, and patterns within a home are more than decorative elements; they offer subtle insights into a character’s personality, background, and emotional state.

For example, a room painted in warm, earthy tones might convey comfort and stability, while bold patterns or eclectic decor could suggest an expressive or unconventional character.

Inherited items add another layer of depth, carrying memories and traditions that hint at family ties or personal history. Each detail, from the chipped corner of an antique dresser to a meticulously curated bookshelf, serves as a silent narrative thread, enriching the story by revealing aspects of the character’s world and mindset.

Even seemingly mundane objects can hold significant emotional weight. A fan mug from a beloved band left in the dish rack might hint at the passions of a previous tenant, evoking nostalgia and subtly connecting the current inhabitants to those who came before.

These artifacts create a bridge between past and present, showing how history shapes the characters’ experiences and relationships within the setting. They remind us that every place is layered with stories and memories, making the setting an integral part of the narrative’s depth and richness.

Sensing through the Location

Sensory details are essential for establishing a setting. What can be seen—or obscured—through a window? What sounds fill the space?

Perhaps the whistling wind or the distant roar of traffic from a nearby highway seeps into a character’s apartment. These sensory elements create a vivid atmosphere, enhancing the reader’s immersion and allowing them to experience the setting alongside the characters.

The ambiance can vary dramatically based on the location. A cottage nestled in the peaceful countryside evokes tranquility and serenity, drawing the reader into a world of nature and relaxation. In contrast, a studio apartment in East London exudes vibrant energy, with the hum of traffic, chatter from nearby cafés, and the rhythm of city life creating a lively, bustling backdrop that might feel invigorating or overwhelming.

Similarly, a location’s emotional tone can shift based on its characteristics. A dark, deserted alley might feel menacing and foreboding, conjuring images of danger and uncertainty. Meanwhile, a cramped attic space could evoke feelings of claustrophobia and confinement, amplifying a character’s sense of isolation or anxiety.

Through these contrasts, the setting becomes more than a backdrop—it becomes an active participant in the narrative, shaping the story’s emotional landscape and enriching the reader’s experience.

Location, Location, Location

Ultimately, the impact of location on perspective is a powerful storytelling tool, enabling writers to explore the complexity of human emotions and experiences.

By examining how different characters perceive the same setting, authors can deepen the narrative, uncovering layers of meaning and offering insights into their characters’ psyches. This exploration encourages readers to reflect on their own perceptions and consider how these may change based on their unique experiences and contexts.

Mariia Kukkakorpi is a communications professional currently writing a children’s book series and developing a feature film script. She researched the narrative significance of place during her PhD studies at the University of Helsinki. Read more about Mariia on LinkedIn or Coverfly.

Featured Photo by Cederic Vandenberghe on Unsplash