Relationship Between Context and Setting and Plot Devices

When we read a prose work, we are entering a world created by a writer. To understand that world well, we need to pay attention to context, setting and the way the writer arranges events through plot.

This lesson explores two connected ideas: the relationship between context and setting, and the different types of plot and plot devices that writers use to organise and develop stories.

1. What Is Context?

In simple language, context means the setting of an event. More broadly, context can be understood as all the information we need to know in order to truly understand something.

Imagine watching a film from its beginning. You gradually learn who the characters are, where the story takes place and what is happening in the plot. All these details help you understand the events.

Context therefore provides information that helps a reader understand a literary work more fully.

2. What Is Setting?

Setting refers to the circumstances in which the events of a story occur. It includes the environment surrounding the action.

The relationship can be expressed simply:

Setting ⊂ Context

In other words, setting is a subset of context. Setting forms an important part of the information that helps us understand a literary work, but context can include information beyond the immediate setting.

3. Context and Setting Together

Concept	What It Helps Us Understand
Context	The information needed to understand something fully.
Setting	The environment and circumstances in which events occur.
Relationship	Setting is a subset of context.

When analysing a prose text, therefore, do not treat context and setting as completely separate. Examine how the setting contributes to the wider information needed to understand the work.

4. Three Types of Context

The lesson identifies three important forms of context: authorial context, historical context and literary context.

Authorial Context

Authorial context concerns the writer’s own life history and experiences, including successes, failures and general circumstances that influenced the writing.

When considering authorial context, ask what information about the writer’s experiences may help explain the circumstances surrounding the writing of the text.

Historical Context

Historical context is influenced by history or reflects the society in which a work was written. A literary work may address social issues with the aim of bringing about change.

Historical context therefore encourages readers to consider the relationship between the text and the historical or social circumstances surrounding it.

Literary Context

Literary context occurs when a text fits into a broad category of literature, such as Feminism or Gothic.

Type of Context	Focus
Authorial	The writer’s life history, experiences and circumstances.
Historical	History and the society reflected or addressed by the text.
Literary	The broad literary category or tradition into which the text fits.

5. Types of Setting

The lesson identifies three types of setting:

• Physical setting
• Social setting
• Psychological setting

Physical Setting

Physical setting concerns the physical environment in which events occur. The visual on page 38 of the weekly material illustrates physical setting through clues including place, time of day, year, weather, historical era, country, season, culture, dialect and customs. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

These clues help readers build a picture of the environment surrounding the action.

Social Setting

Social setting concerns the social environment surrounding the events of a literary work.

Psychological Setting

Psychological setting concerns the psychological circumstances surrounding the events and characters.

6. Finding Context and Setting in a Text

When reading a prose passage, look for words, phrases and details that reveal where, when and under what circumstances the events occur.

Look for clues about:

• place;
• time of day;
• time of year;
• weather;
• historical era;
• country;
• season;
• culture;
• dialect;
• customs; and
• social or psychological circumstances.

Do not merely collect the clues. Ask what they contribute to your understanding of the story.

7. Context–Setting Concept Map

A simple concept map can help you see the relationship:

CONTEXT

↳ Setting

↳ Physical

↳ Social

↳ Psychological

↳ Wider contextual information

↳ Authorial

↳ Historical

↳ Literary

This map shows why setting should be understood as part of a larger context.

8. Evidence Is Important

A strong reader does not simply say, “The setting is a village,” or “The story has a historical context.” The reader should identify the evidence that supports the interpretation.

For example, descriptive words or phrases in a prose passage may directly reveal aspects of setting and context.

A useful pattern is:

Textual clue → Identify what it reveals → Explain its contribution to meaning

Practice

Choose a selected chapter or short passage. Find words or phrases that reveal setting and context. For each one, explain what it tells you.

Textual Evidence	What It Reveals	Why It Matters
A descriptive word or phrase from the text	A feature of setting or context	How the information helps us understand the work

9. Why Setting Matters

Setting is not simply background decoration. The use of setting can affect how a reader understands a text.

Consider these questions:

• What does the place tell us about the events?
• What does the time tell us?
• What cultural details are important?
• What social circumstances surround the characters?
• What psychological circumstances affect the situation?

Thinking about these questions can help readers develop a deeper interpretation of a prose work.

10. From Context and Setting to Plot

Once we understand the environment surrounding a story, we can examine how the writer arranges what happens within that environment.

Plot is a literary device used by writers to arrange what happens in a story. It presents events and actions and includes a turning point that creates a conflict which eventually needs to be resolved.

Plot therefore gives shape to the movement of a story.

11. What Are Plot Devices?

Plot devices are techniques used by an author to move the plot forward.

A plot device may be a material thing, such as a character, or something immaterial, such as a situation or a change in events in the story.

The important question is: How does this device help the story develop?

12. Four Types of Plot

The lesson identifies four types of plot used in fiction:

1. Linear plot
2. Episodic plot
3. Parallel plot
4. Flashback

Linear Plot

Linear plot, also called dramatic or progressive plot, presents actions or occurrences chronologically.

Its sequence is:

Exposition → Setting → Characters → Conflict → Rising Action → Climax → Falling Action → Resolution

The events are presented progressively, allowing the reader to follow the development from the beginning towards the resolution.

Episodic Plot

Episodic plot is made up of a series of chapters or stories linked together by the same character, place or theme. However, the individual parts remain distinct through their own plot, purpose and subtext.

The key idea is connection without complete dependence: the episodes belong to the wider work while retaining their individual plot or purpose.

Parallel Plot

Parallel plot is a story structure in which the writer includes two or more separate narratives linked by a common character, event or theme.

When reading a parallel plot, look for the separate narrative strands and then identify what connects them.

Flashback

Flashback recounts events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events.

Flashback can fill in crucial backstory and reveal information about earlier events.

Plot Type	Main Feature
Linear	Events are presented chronologically.
Episodic	A series of linked chapters or stories with individual plots, purposes and subtexts.
Parallel	Two or more separate narratives linked by a common character, event or theme.
Flashback	Recounts events that happened before the primary sequence of events.

13. Plot Devices That Shape a Story

Writers can use particular devices to influence the way information and events are presented.

Foreshadow

Foreshadow is a plot device that hints at something that will happen, usually without the significance being recognised until the end of the story.

When you identify foreshadowing, look for an earlier clue and then connect it to what happens later.

Red Herring

A red herring is a piece of false information used by the writer to mislead the reader about what is really happening in the plot.

The key feature is deliberate misdirection.

Flashback

Flashback can also function as a plot device. It recounts events that happened before the story’s current happenings, gradually revealing information and keeping readers or audiences guessing.

Plot Twist

A plot twist is a deviation from the expected ending or direction of a plot. It can create surprise and entertainment.

Deus Ex Machina

Deus Ex Machina occurs when an insoluble conflict or point of tension is suddenly resolved through the appearance of a new character, force or event.

The phrase is Latin for “God out of an engine.” The lesson explains it through the example of a wise or powerful person suddenly arriving on stage to solve problems and provide the necessary healing. The device can also remind an audience that what they are watching is a piece of stage drama rather than real life.

Plot Device	Effect or Function
Foreshadow	Hints at something that will happen later.
Red herring	Misleads the reader with false information.
Flashback	Reveals earlier events and backstory.
Plot twist	Deviates from an expected direction or ending.
Deus ex machina	Suddenly resolves an insoluble conflict through a new character, force or event.

14. Do Not Confuse Plot Types with Plot Devices

A useful distinction is needed here.

Plot types describe larger ways of organising a story, such as linear, episodic, parallel and flashback.

Plot devices are techniques that help move or shape the plot, such as foreshadowing, red herrings, flashbacks, plot twists and deus ex machina.

Plot Type	Plot Device
A broad structure for arranging the story.	A technique used to move or shape the plot.
Examples: linear, episodic, parallel, flashback.	Examples: foreshadow, red herring, flashback, plot twist, deus ex machina.

Important: Flashback appears in both lists because it can describe a type of plot structure and also function as a plot device for revealing earlier events.

15. Reading for Plot Structure

When reading a prose text, first ask how the events are arranged.

1. Are the events presented chronologically?
2. Does the story consist of linked episodes?
3. Are there two or more narrative strands?
4. Does the narrative move back to earlier events?

Then look for particular devices:

1. Are there clues pointing towards future events?
2. Are there misleading pieces of information?
3. Are earlier events revealed later?
4. Does an unexpected development change the direction of the plot?
5. Is an apparently insoluble conflict suddenly resolved by a new character, force or event?

16. Story Sequence Practice

Imagine that you receive cards containing mixed-up events from a story. Your task is to arrange them according to the plot structure they represent.

For a linear plot, arrange the events chronologically from exposition through resolution.

For a parallel plot, identify which events belong to each narrative strand and then identify the common connection.

For an episodic plot, identify the separate episodes and the character, place or theme that links them.

For a flashback, identify the event that belongs to the earlier period and recognise where the narrative moves back from its primary sequence.

17. Applying the Ideas to Prose

The weekly material suggests exploring plot devices in short stories, short videos and complex prose texts. Works mentioned for exploration include Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Grief Child by Lawrence Darmani and The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

When using any selected text, focus on evidence from the work itself. Identify the plot structure, locate particular plot devices and explain how they contribute to the movement of the story.

18. Context, Setting and Plot: Putting Everything Together

Context, setting and plot can be examined as connected parts of a prose work.

Context gives information needed to understand the work.

Setting provides an important part of that context through physical, social and psychological circumstances.

Plot arranges the events and actions of the story.

Plot devices help the writer move or shape those events.

A useful chain is:

Context → Setting → Events → Plot Structure → Plot Devices → Reader’s Understanding

This does not mean that every literary work follows one fixed pattern. It provides a useful way to organise your analysis.

19. Create Your Own Story

Try creating a short story using one of the plot types introduced in this lesson.

First decide:

• the context;
• the physical, social or psychological setting;
• the characters;
• the main conflict; and
• the plot type.

Then select at least one plot device that will shape the story.

For example, you could create a story using a linear plot and include foreshadowing, or use parallel narratives linked by a common event.

20. Three-Scene Story Challenge

Create a three-scene sketch incorporating different types of plots or plot devices.

Your three scenes should communicate a recognisable story. After performing or presenting it, identify:

1. the plot type;
2. the plot device or devices used;
3. the context;
4. the setting; and
5. the effect of the chosen structure or device on the story.

21. Design the Setting

Imagine that your selected prose text is being adapted into a film. Design or plan a movie set that represents its setting.

Include details that communicate:

• place;
• time of day;
• year or historical period;
• weather or season;
• culture;
• customs;
• country or region; and
• other relevant social or psychological circumstances.

Your design should make the setting recognisable and should be supported by evidence from the selected text.

22. Key Practice Questions

Recall

Question 1: What is context?

Answer: Context is the information needed to truly understand something. In the lesson’s simple formulation, it means the setting of an event.

Question 2: What is setting?

Answer: Setting is the environment and circumstances in which events occur and is a subset of context.

Question 3: Name the three types of context.

Answer: Authorial, historical and literary context.

Question 4: Name the three types of setting.

Answer: Physical, social and psychological setting.

Question 5: What is a plot?

Answer: A plot is a literary device used by writers to arrange what happens in a story, including events, actions and a turning point that creates conflict requiring eventual resolution.

Conceptual Understanding

Question: How is setting related to context?

Answer: Setting is a subset of context. Setting supplies important information about the environment and circumstances of events, while context includes the wider information needed to understand the literary work.

Question: How is a linear plot different from a parallel plot?

Answer: A linear plot presents actions or occurrences chronologically, while a parallel plot includes two or more separate narratives linked by a common character, event or theme.

Strategic Reasoning

Question: How can you identify a plot device in a prose text?

Answer: Examine how the writer presents or changes events. Look for clues about future events, misleading information, earlier events revealed later, unexpected deviations or sudden resolutions. Then identify the device and explain its role in moving or shaping the plot.

Extended Critical Thinking

Question: How can context and setting contribute to meaning?

Answer: Context supplies information needed to understand the work, while setting establishes physical, social and psychological circumstances surrounding the events. By examining textual evidence for these elements, readers can explain how the environment and wider circumstances contribute to their understanding of the prose work.

23. Final Review

Concept	Remember
Context	The information needed to understand something fully.
Setting	An important part of context; includes physical, social and psychological setting.
Authorial context	The writer’s life history, experiences and circumstances.
Historical context	History and the society reflected or addressed by the text.
Literary context	The broad literary category into which a text fits.
Linear plot	Chronological arrangement of events.
Episodic plot	Linked episodes with individual plots, purposes and subtexts.
Parallel plot	Two or more narratives linked by a common character, event or theme.
Flashback	A return to events that happened before the primary sequence.
Foreshadow	A hint about something that will happen later.
Red herring	False information used to mislead the reader.
Plot twist	A deviation from an expected direction or ending.
Deus ex machina	A sudden resolution of an insoluble conflict through a new character, force or event.

Strong prose appreciation begins with noticing the world of the story. Ask what context surrounds the work, what setting the writer creates, how the events are arranged and which plot devices shape the reader’s experience. These questions help turn reading into thoughtful interpretation.