Definition of Setting
Key Examples in Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed
“Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed” is set in a fictional universe in which humans can easily travel to and live on Mars. The Mars that exists in this universe once had human-like inhabitants who lived in houses, had their own language, and had a close relationship to the land. The following passage—in which the protagonist Harry and his family wander through the Martian landscape—captures this element of the setting:
They walked into the hills. They strolled on old mosaic paths, beside still pumping fountains. The paths were covered with a thin film of cool water all summer long. […]
They came to a small deserted Martian villa with a good view of the valley. It was on top of a hill. Blue marble halls, large murals, a swimming pool. It was refreshing in this hot summertime. The Martians hadn’t believed in large cities.