Setting changes in the Novel Jewel by Bret Lott

A detailed Summary of Setting changes in the Novel Jewel by Bret Lott

Setting marks the beginning of the plot and is the most important aspect to consider when writing a novel. The setting is more than just the place where the plot occurs; it can mean much more to the theme of the novel. Setting creates a mood that surrounds the characters and enhances their identity by using writing devices to reveal an underlying theme to their character. This also creates an underlying theme to the novel. Setting changes also create a mood that helps the author more fully establish an idea that they wish to convey. This can relate to the feelings of the characters in certain settings. Also, setting changes are added to create a more interesting plot and more intricate characters. Setting uses writing devices to develop the story's intricate characters, thus producing a more vibrant and effective plot. Therefore, the setting changes in the novel Jewel enhance and personify the novel's theme of overcoming obstacles, most obvious in Bret Lott's use of symbolism, imagery, and pathetic fallacy.

An author uses symbolism to relay meanings for different settings in a more subtle manner, which helps to reveal a character's true personality. At an early age, Jewel faces the difficulty of becoming an orphan,

When reading on in the novel, the events that take place reflect great achievement for the Hilburns, much more than in Mississippi. This contrast between cities can also be seen when Jewel, Leston, and Brenda Kay move back to Mississippi after Leston's retirement, when on the morning that they were leaving, "there was a nest of thick fog, cold fog and untold tears" (Lott 280). This description is just another example of how the setting change tells the reader how the characters are feeling, as Jewel was unhappy to move back to Mississippi and only did so to please her husband. Also the word cold is used to foreshadow an unhappiness and darkness in Jewels' character when she moves back to Mississippi; when they are beginning to move back the cold begins again. Through all these examples pathetic fallacy helps the reader see much deeper into the emotion that the setting conveys.

and moves in with her Grandmother Missy Cook. This move to her Grandmother's house is a symbol for the end of her simple free-spirited life she led with her mother, and the beginning of her sheltered set out life she leads under the care of Missy Cook. This symbol is represented by the setting of Missy Cook's house and in the way Missy Cook is described in this passage: "She seemed to float down the staircase, the hem of her dress simply dancing about her hidden feet, so for a moment I thought maybe she had died, was in fact a ghost before me" (Lott 21). This description of Missy Cook portrays somewhat a supernatural figure that is cool and harsh, while creating a prison like atmosphere for young Jewel Hilburn. However, this prison-like atmosphere proves to make Jewel a stronger person; because of this harsh childhood she gives her children twice the love she lacked and dedicates her motherhood to securing a special motherly bond with each of her six children.

Lott, Bret. Jewel. New York: First Washington Square Press, 1991

Pathetic fallacy uses the setting to make the mood of the plot and the feelings of the characters similar. Pathetic fallacy uses the setting to reveal the mood and emotions of the characters, this most obvious in Jewel. The author creates a definite contrast between the lives led in Mississippi and then in California. In Mississippi, Lott creates a mood of hardship, coldness, and darkness: "I felt the chill of the morning on my skin, that skin the same colour gray as the small strip of sky I could see above the box pine and the live oak outside the window" (Lott 3). Mississippi, as described, is surrounded by chilling thoughts of grey skies. It c

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Brenda Kay, Mississippi Leston's, , Jewel Hilburn, Missy Cook, California Symbolism, Mississippi Lott, Bret Lott's, Purvis Mississippi, Leston Suddenly, setting changes, pathetic fallacy, setting change, writing devices, missy cook, move mississippi, life california, feelings characters, childhood home, brenda kay, theme novel setting, throughout remainder novel, theme overcoming obstacles, imagery pathetic fallacy, symbolism imagery pathetic,

Approximate Word count = 1744
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English