As a rule there are many components which compose the plot of a story. Some of them have a clearly central place in a text like major characters of a story. The others might seem quite peripheral and supplemental rather than independent and self-sufficient; still, they constitute an indispensable part of the story and help the writer convey the necessary mood and reach the desirable effect on the reader. Among the latters the setting of the story should be considered.
Even though the setting is not an active agent in the story, it plays a very significant role: with no actual actions prescribed by its nature, it performs a very active function in the imagination of the reader by evoking necessary associations and preparing him for a certain atmosphere. Thus, in the story "The Ghost in the Mill" the setting creates the effect of mysteriousness, darkness and fear - all these elements are especially appropriate to the situation given the context of the story. The writer manages to create this gloomy and dismal
atmosphere via visual means and sound effects. While talking about the visual means, the writer mentions early sunsets meaning predominant twilight during the day, peculiarities of the geographical location like "dark, unbroken forests with tangled paths" (Stowe) and description of weather conditions as follows: "the air so thick with snow, that he couldn't see a foot afore him" (Stowe). The sound effects are particularly abundant in the story: H. W. Stowe makes the winds yelling and hawling, the doors - squeaking and clattering with the background of storm and thunder (Stowe).
Of interest is the fact that the story actually brings the reader to another story, the one
told by Sam Lawson; therefore it is possible to say that the setting is presented on 2 layers.
However, they do not differ in nature and rather enhance each other and deepen the effect of obscurity and apprehension.
All in all, the setting of a story is a very important element since it creates the background and general atmosphere. H. B Stowe managed to create the setting appropriate to the plot of the story by means of visual and sound effects. The latter prepare the reader to the gloomy atmosphere of the story and keep him in a sombrous mood throughout the story.
Works Cited
Stowe, Harriet B. Oldtown Fireside _Stories. Boston: J, 2014. http://www.gutenberg.org. 16 Nov.
2014 <http://www.gutenberg.org/files/22320/22320-h/22320-h.htm>.
