Activity Overview
Settings help to bring the reader into the story and help make the words on the page come alive. When the setting and characters change in a story, it signals to the reader that the story is progressing and that action is taking place. In "The Treasure of Lemon Brown", the readers are introduced to a young boy named Greg who lives in New York City. As the setting changes in the story from his home to an abandoned building, so does Greg. Readers often notice that the mood of a character changes with the setting. The mood is reflective and plays off all aspects of the story.
A great activity to do with your students is to have them create a setting map, which allows students visualize Greg’s setting. Using the text boxes below, they can find direct quotes that explain the mood in the setting.
Kitchen
- Mood: Annoyed
- The story begins in the kitchen of Greg, who is sure he is going to be grounded by his father for doing poorly in a class at school.
- Greg’s dad is upset with him over his poor grades, and as his father lectures him Greg feels annoyed. Instead of going upstairs to study, he leaves the house.
Street
- Mood: Upset
- Shows the dark, dangerous street as he walks around in the dark.
- Greg thinks about not being able to play basketball, and he thinks about his father's lecture.
Building
- Curious
- The story gets more exciting in the abandoned, run-down building in which Lemon Brown is squatting.
- Greg begins to talk to Lemon Brown and learns that every man has a treasure.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a setting map of the different settings in "The Treasure of Lemon Brown".
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the setting.
- Use quotes to describe the mood of the setting.
- Illustrate each setting with a variety of scenes, characters, and items
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/L/6/5] Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings
- [ELA-Literacy/L/7/3] Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 20 Points | Emerging 15 Points | Beginning 10 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting Description | The student effectively describes the setting by identifying the place, time, and atmosphere. | The student describes two elements of the setting. | The student describes only one aspect of the setting. |
| Role of Setting | The student effectively identifies how the setting contributes to the development of plot, characters, mood, and theme. | The student is able to identify how the setting contributes to the development of two aspects of the novel: plot, characters, mood, or theme. | The student is able to identify how the setting contributes to the development of one aspect of the novel: plot, characters, mood, or theme. |
| Shifts in Setting | The student identifies how the setting shifts and the effect this change has on plot, character, mood and theme development. | The student is able to identify how the setting shifts, and the effect this shift has on two aspects of the development of the novel (plot, character, mood, or theme). | The student is able to identify how the setting shifts, and the effect this shift has on one aspect of the development of the novel (plot, character, mood, or theme). |
| Appearance | Final product contains accurate visual depictions of setting and characters. | Final product demonstrates an effort to accurately portray settings and characters though some aspects are confusing and/or inaccurate. | Final product contains irrelevant images. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
How To Examine the Interaction of Setting With Characters in “The Treasure of Lemon Brown”
Talk About the Setting
Begin by briefly discussing what a setting is and what kind of impact it can have on the narrative. Ask the students thought-provoking questions such as What if a certain story was written in modern times with a completely changed timeline and places? Ask the students first to identify the particular setting of “The Treasure of Lemon Brown” and then move on with the discussion.
Examine the Characters
Help the students identify and examine different characters present in the story. This will help them understand the impact of the setting on each character. Discuss with the students how each character interacts with a particular setting and if the timeline of the story also has an impact on the narrative. For instance, if the values of that time are shaping the thoughts and actions of the characters.
Identify Symbolism
Examine whether the story's setting functions as a symbol. Students should be encouraged to think about the experiences and feelings that the abandoned building could symbolize for the characters. Identify the extent of symbolism involving the setting present in the story.
Discuss Central Conflicts
Ask the students to name any disputes or difficulties that result from the environment. For instance, the disagreement between Greg and his father or the conflict between Lemon Brown and society could serve as important aspects to examine the role of the setting.
Reflect and Review
Wrap up the discussion by asking the students to create a comprehensive analysis with the help of all the details and information they have gathered so far. Encourage the students to back their analysis with logic and facts from the story.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Importance of Setting in "The Treasure of Lemon Brown"
What part of the setting plays a significant role in the narrative?
The conversations between Greg and Lemon Brown take place against the backdrop of the abandoned building, which is essential. Setting the groundwork for their meeting and the development of their relationship, it produces an enigmatic and poignant mood. This particular aspect of the setting also helps in the development of the narrative as well as hinting towards the theme of treasure.
What effect does the setting have on the story's general mood?
A feeling of mystery and intrigue is established by the surroundings, which is run-down and somewhat suspenseful. It heightens reader engagement by introducing the elements of mystery and piquing curiosity. Different settings have different impacts on the mood of the story and the characters such as Greg’s conversation with his father in the kitchen.
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