Setting7


 * __[[image:Carnival.jpg width="253" height="172" align="right"]][[image:429978p2.jpg width="225" height="174" align="left"]][[image:1940Chevrolet.jpg width="268" height="173" align="right"]]

SETTING__** The majority of “The Notebook” is set in 1940’s America in a small town named Seabrook. Seabrook is in the state of South Carolina.


 * __TECHNIQUES WHICH SHOW SETTING:__**
 * Props
 * Costume
 * Dialogue
 * Non-Diegetic music

Props used in the opening scenes help show that the film is set during the 1940’s. In the Carinval scene viewers see a long shot of a ferris wheel and bumper cars. They are old fashioned rides which were at there most popular during this time period. Another example of props that shows setting is when Allie and Noah are walking down the main street of Seabrook. They pass shop windows which have billboards advertising pineapple for 25 cents a can and pork and beans for 10 cents a can. These prices are much lower than current prices for the same products. This indicates that the film is set during the 1940’s era.
 * __Props__**

A prop which also shows setting is the blue chevrolet car used in the same scene. Allie leaves Noah and is shown getting into the car with her black chauffer. This use of props helps establish the setting because of the style and make of car. It also shows the social climate as this was also a time where many black people were considered second class in America. It establishes that this is not only the 1940’s but is America in the 1940’s

The costume of characters in this novel helps show the setting. In the film Allie is always shown wearing colourful, expensive dresses. They are always long and fitting, but also conservative. She wears matching hats, high heel shoes and pin-curled hair. Allie’s costume is indicative of the style of dress that upper-class women of the 1940’s would wear. Noah’s costume also shows the setting. He usually is shown wearing loose cotton shirts, cord pants and tweed caps. This style of dress identifies his character as being of the working class and is indicative of what working men wore in 1940’s America.
 * __Costume__**

The way the characters talk in this film help show the setting. They speak in American slang and use language which is typically related only to the 1940’s era. For Example:
 * __Dialogue__**
 * “Hey __pal__”
 * “__Friend__, do you mind?”
 * “I __gotta__ have it”
 * "Have you flipped your lid?"

In the Carnival scene swing style music is heard playing over the events onscreen. This is music which was popular during the 1940’s era. The music also helps reinforce the setting as swing was typically considered to have been developed in the southern America.
 * __Non-Diegetic Music__**

The setting is important as it helps gives clues as to the main characters lives and the social climate. It also shows the theme of the film – the power of true love.
 * __WHY IS SETTING IMPORTANT?__**

It is important for viewers to understand that the film is set in 1940’s America as the social attitudes at this time play a crucial role in Allie and Noah’s relationship. The main conflict in the film is due to the fact that Allie and Noah come from different sections of society. They can not be together because of the social prejudices that existed at this time. Allie comes from a rich upper-class family while Noah is lower-class and works at the lumber yard for 40 cents an hour. Allie and Noah eventually overcome these social prejudices to be together. This shows the theme of the film which is that true love can triumph over any obstacle – even social status.