A region down to its dust: an examination of setting in Shole's short stories

Abstract

In this article the functionality of setting and action as well as setting and characterization in J.S. Shole's short stories, in his collection, O foo, ke fono! are discussed. Setting is seen as an attempt to direct the reader's visual imagination. In Shole's short stories it is conveyed in terms of objects that provide a larger picture of the place, through informative words or phrases, and use is also made of contrast in setting and how setting portrays the prevailing emotional atmosphere. The author explores the characters' behavioural attitudes, morals, manners and wisdom and from these we determine the historical period within which these short stories fall.