Setting6


 * //__SETTING__//**


 * In “Mr Van Gogh” written by Owen Marshall, a number of techniques have been used to create a strong sense of place and establish setting. The story is set in small town New Zealand. Techniques used to portray this setting include adjectives, New Zealand jargon, and also slang.**


 * ADJECTIVES
 * NZ JARGON
 * SLANG

crab apple trees, old bridge, garden full of docks and fennel.
 * __ADJECTIVES:__** wooden bungalow, an integration of rust and exposed wood, iron roof stained with rust, corrugated weatherboards,


 * Adjectives are used throughout the story to create a strong sense of place, particularly in relation to the home of Mr Van Gogh (Frank Reprieve Wilcox). His home is described by Marshall as a “wooden bungalow…an integration of rust and exposed wood”. Marshall also describes the “iron roofing, corrugated weatherboards, and overgrown garden”. These adjectives are important as they help portray a run down, simple, batch-like home which is typical of most small town New Zealand towns. This helps reinforce to readers that the setting of the story is indeed in small town rather than a city.**

__**NZ JARGON:**__ Auckland, Feilding, town council, Ministry of Works, sandshoes, dozer driver, football jersey, St Johns.


 * New Zealand** **jargon is also used to help convey the setting. This is best shown in Marshall’s mention of iconic New Zealand symbols such as the “football jersey and sandshoes” the dozer driver’s mate was wearing when Mr Van Gogh’s house was destroyed. Marshall also mentions other well known New Zealand locations in the story such as Auckland and Feilding. This use of jargon is important as it reinforces to readers that the setting of the story is not just in a small town, but a New Zealand small town.**


 * __SLANG:__** “old bugger”, “mate”


 * Lastly, Marshall uses New Zealand slang to portray setting. Throughout the story the word “bugger” is used and also “mate”. Mr Souness for example states that “the old bugger is holding up the democratic wishes of the town”. Both of these words are primarily associated with New Zealand language and are common slang words in everyday conversation. This use of slang further identifies the setting as being in New Zealand as they are words which readers can relate to.**


 * //__WHY IS THIS SETTING IMPORTANT?__//**


 * All of the above techniques such as adjectives, jargon and slang, combine to effectively portray a strong sense of place and identify the setting as being small town New Zealand. This is particularly important as the main themes of the story, “small town mentalities” and “society’s materialism” specifically relate and are aimed towards a New Zealand audience. This is one of the main purposes Owen Marshall has in writing his stories – to make comment on current issues which are affecting New Zealand communities.**