What is the setting of a story?

A story's setting is comprised of the time, place, culture and environment that serve as the background. In some cases, the setting also serves as an important aspect of a story's plot.

Setting can be used to set a mood for a piece of writing. For example, a deserted old mansion on a hill would create a darker mood than a spring meadow filled with daffodils. It can also inform the reader about time-specific social mores or restrictions. On occasion, the setting becomes an antagonist in the story when the main character must endure or defeat the conditions of the natural surroundings to survive or achieve certain goals.