Essay - Creating an Accurate Setting for A Book Is as Important...

Creating an accurate setting for a book is as important, if not more *****, than the depiction of characters. A detailed depiction of ***** architecture in a scene often adds to the credibility of the story. In the books Rob*****son Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, Heart of Darkness ***** Joseph Conrad, and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, architecture ***** used ***** only as a ***** setter but also as a testament to socio-economic values and cultural beliefs.

***** Crusoe, Heart of Darkness and ***** Fall ***** all deal with so called "primitive" conditions as *****ir subject matter. The s*****ries do not take place in a thriv*****g modern metropolis, but in areas well removed from the western eye. This being the case, much of ***** ***** described belongs to the indigenous people of the s*****ries or the Caucasians who were forced to act as if they were natives because of the lack of "modern" conveniences.

In Robin*****n Crusoe ***** main character finds himself shipwrecked on an island he calls "***** Island of Despair." (Chpt 2 p. 1) Once he ascertains that ***** is going to be responsible for h***** own survival he begins ***** fulfill his most basic needs food, clothing, and shelter.." I walk'd about the Shore almost all Day to find out a pl*****ce to fix my Habitation, greatly concern'd ***** secure my self from an Attack in ***** Night, either from wild Beasts or Men. (Chpt***** p. 1) This shows the reader that the primary purpose of ***** place of ***** is not just a convenience but a fortress as *****, directly reflecting the European attitude ***** the main character.

The architecture (of ***** habitat) is ***** ***** of the importance placed upon it and ***** safety it would provide. ***** describes in detail the measures *****n by Crusoe to protect himself. Crusoe creates a wall around h***** dwelling not unlike a c*****stle, w*****h trap*****ors and spikes in front of it as a further barrier. (Chpt 5 p. 7) In fact Crusoe takes ***** call*****g his home "The C*****tle" for the rest of the book. Towards Night I fix'd upon a proper Place under a Rock, ***** mark'd out a Semi-Circle ***** ***** Encampment, *****ich ***** resolv'd to strengthen with a Work, Wall, or F*****t*****ication made of double Piles, lin'd within with Cables, and *****out with Turf. (***** 2 p. *****) ***** fact that ***** feels it necessary to fortify ***** against the unknown is a reflection of the culture Crusoe brought with him, ***** ***** seventeenth century England and its fortification ***** invaders. Unable to com*****letely give up his culture, Crusoe also builds ***** comforts such as tables and chairs ***** accommodate his more aesthetic needs. (Chpt 2 p. 2) Once Crusoe is joined ***** a cannibal native named Friday he does little to try ***** learn about t***** cul*****ure of the man, instead he *****similates ***** into the life of ***** Castle, creating a ***** "tent" for him inside the fortress. (Chpt 6 p. 5) Again