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.
(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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.