Setting Discussion!

Discussion questions on the setting and the affect it has in the book

1. How would it effect the story and the characters if the book had started out in a larger city?  

Answer: The setting in the beginning of the books helps describe the nature of the Characters. Particularly Christopher. He does not like strangers or talking with people he does not know. Being in a small suburban area shows this about Christopher. Furthermore, the small, suburban setting helps create contrast between the unexpected death of Wellington and the quiet, normal setting.

2. What contrast was created between the setting and the incident of Wellington's death? Did it put emphasis on anything, and did it benefit the story?

Answer: Because Swindon is such a small, quiet town, the murder of Wellington was even more shocking and unexpected in the book. It puts emphasis on the incident and benefits the story by putting focus on the it, compared to the boring setting of the town.

3. What mood and general feeling does the town set?  

Answer: The town sets a very neutral feeling and tone. Swindon is a small, ordinary town, and tells the reader that it is nothing special.It sets an almost boring feel.  

4. Does the setting help develop or help the reader understand the characters at all? How?

Answer: The town of Swindon, particularly Christopher's street, gives a predictable description of the neighbors, and helps the reader understand the neighbors, without the author having to describe them much. It also helps develop Christopher by showing the reader how he prefers quiet places.

5. What effect does Christopher's autism have on the story of the book?

  

Answer: The overall story of the book is rather dark and sad. The author uses Christopher's autism in a friendly, humorous way. This helps lighten up the book and keep it interesting. It gives a funny, and not-knowing-what-to-expect feel to the reader.

6. What does the town show and tell the reader about Christopher?

Answer: It shows the reader that Christopher is uncomfortable around strangers, dislikes loud noises, and prefers having a quite lifestyle.  

7. Does the book being written autobiographically (first person) affect the setting?

Answer: The book being written autobiographically (first person) does affect the setting. Because Christopher is autistic, and you are seeing the setting through his eyes and thoughts, it dramatically changes the setting and the overall feeling. Christopher takes in little details, and really opens the eyes of the reader to the setting. It changes the feeling of the setting in a way that most people are not used to reading.  

8. What  effect does  an autistic boy writing the book and having a depressing storyline together have on the reader?

Answer: The combination of a dark, depressing setting and a funny narrator creates a paradox, making the reader conflicted.  

9. Do you think having an ordinary setting benefits the story? How or how not?

Answer: Yes, the setting benefits the story to some extent. It creates contrast between the conflict and the setting. The setting also describes the characters. Though, the story also suffers from the setting. The setting makes the story somewhat boring, by having nothing unique about it.  

10. Why would the author create what is supposed to be a normal setting, and put chaos in it?  

Answer: The setting puts emphasis on the strangeness of the murder of Wellington and the whole situation. The setting and conflict work together by being opposite.  

-Bethanyomnomnomlettuce-