When an author depicts environment or setting in prose, he/she is describing the domain or surroundings of where the tale occurs.
Explanation:
An environment or setting in prose can also be defined as the context or the backdrop where a story unfolds. Hence, it plays a very important part in establishing the personalities/back stories of the characters themselves.
The setting or environment could include a number of details. For instance:
Direct reference to Place and/or Time: Eg. <em>"In the early winters of 1989, Samantha was living a peaceful life in the heart of Mexico."</em>
Indirect reference to Place and/or Time: Eg. <em>"Since the evenings were warm, and the trees were bare, Tom knew that in a couple of months winter would be on its way."</em>
The Interiors/Exteriors Description: Eg. <em>"The four walls were made of thick concrete blocks, gleaming in the dark by the torches that lined the passageway. There were shadowy figures lurking in the corners."</em>
The Natural Habitat/Surroundings and/or the Weather/Climate: Eg. <em>"It was a cheerful sunny day, ideal for a picnic in the park. The grass was green, flowers were in full bloom, and the clouds passed in the sky like tufts of fluffy white cotton wool."</em>
A setting or environment works to weave in the elements of the narrative together. It also enables the readers to visualize the story being narrated, making it more engaging to picturize it.
