When it comes to weather, there are many factors that weather can play
into with plot and plot development. Weather does more than just create the
setting foundation, it goes into characters and moods inside the plot. Setting
establishes moods and foreshadows events yet to come. In every book, the
weather can create different situations and problems in the book. For example, in
a horror story the weather will have a large impact. If the protagonist is
fleeing from the scene while being chased by the terrifying antagonist and all
of a sudden it starts storming and raining. Then, the protagonist slips and
falls on the ground and the chase becomes more anxiety filled and creates that
feeling for the readers. Usually people associate stormy weather with horror
type movies and books because that is what people have done for decades.
Weather can also show symbolism. When warmer weather comes into play, usually
the mood is happier and more cheerful. When colder weather, such as winter, is
there the mood is darker or a depressing mood. Rain can symbolize restoration
or replenishment; the spring season symbolizes a season of renewal. Another
horror movie weather symbolism is fog which shows confusion and struggle to
visualize or physical struggle to control. A more modern example is from the
book(s) The Hunger Games, and the example includes the second book Catching
Fire. I’m sure most people have read these books or have seen the movies
for visual representation. The people who control the games can control
anything that happens in the arena for the tributes. In the first book and the
second book the weather was more tropical and humid more than anything else and
this can change the story. The warm weather with vast amounts of humidity
requires the tributes to drink more water to stay hydrated and not become
de-hydrated which would ultimately make them very sick and an outlook of death
in the long run. The weather setting is not just for setting, it shows mood,
symbolism and rather large foreshadowing in powerful ways.
I agree that weather plays an important role in storytelling. It is always there to set up the mood the author wishes to portray. Weather represents emotion in a way, sunny to happiness, rain to sadness, fog to confusion etc. I have always found the use of weather interesting in literature. Why do we need it to convey the mood? Why is it so commonly used when we are already provided the emotions of the characters? The truth is there is always a purpose for everything in literature, even the most trivial concepts, which is what makes it intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI like how you found that weather can foreshadow future events, Drew. I also agree with you in saying that weather influences not only the setting, but also the characters. A quote that I enjoyed from chapter ten was "Weather is never just weather. It's never just rain." Foster points out that weather impacts the emotions given off from the text and the characters reactions to the weather. I do think that cold weather can be depressing in some scenes, but typically I would associate the cold with exciting times such as Christmas. I also think that rain can be a sign of renewal, but can also signal a dreary day. I believe that the character's reactions to weather are what help the reader interpret exactly what type of weather it is.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite novel is The Great Gatsby; I love the flower seen when he an Daisy are reunited at Nick's cottage. The weather is so important in that scene. It reflects Jay's attitude and outlook. Students do not usually notice this with a first reading. Hence, re-reading is sometimes imperative.
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