KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS

SETTING

Part I of the novel is entitled "Winter." Chapter I is set in the dark woods of Mellstock, through which Dick Dewy is walking. Chapters II and III are set in Tranter Dewy's cottage, into which the choir goes. In Chapter IV, the setting and the choir shift to the schoolhouse, where they perform several carols for Fancy Day, the young school mistress. In Chapter V, the setting changes from the schoolhouse to farmer Shiner's place and from there into the gallery of the church, where the choir has refreshments. In Chapter VI, which is Christmas morning, the scene is set first in the cottage of the Dewy family, from where they go to the church and join the rest of the choir in the gallery. Chapter VII and VIII are set in the Tranter's cottage, where a Christmas party is in progress. In Chapter IX, the setting is partly the passage outside the school, through which Dick passes. Then the scene shifts to the garden where he meets Fancy. The setting in Part I establishes the atmosphere of quiet country life with charm and humor, enlivened by Christmas festivities.

Part II is entitled "Spring." Chapter I is set in the passage outside the school, where Dick meets Fancy. Chapters II and III are set outside the shoemaker's workshop where the choir members meet one evening. In chapter IV the setting shifts from the Tranter's house, where the choir assembles, to the vicarage. Chapter V shows the scene of the choir returning homeward. In Chapter VI the scene shifts to Yalbury Wood and the keeper's house. Chapter VII is set on the road from Yalbury Wood to Mellstock, which Dick and Fancy take to reach home. Then the scene shifts to Fancy's house. Chapter VIII is set on the road in which Dick drives home. Thereafter, it shifts to the land post at Mellstock Cross, where a meeting between Dick and his father takes place.

Part IV is entitled 'Autumn.' Chapter I is set in Fancy's home from where Dick goes rutting. Chapter II presents the scene of Dick journeying on foot to the keeper's house at Yalbury, where he participates in honey taking. Chapter III is set on the road from Fancy's home at Yalbury to Mellstock. Soon the scene shifts to the cottage of Elizabeth Endorfield, a witch. In chapter IV the scene shifts to Mellstock, where Geoffrey Day calls on his daughter at the school. Chapter V is set in Mellstock church where Thanksgiving is observed. In Chapter VI the scene shifts to the school, where Fancy is sitting on the window and looking out at the rain. This is where Dick and Maybold visit her. Chapter VII is set in the vicar's house. Then it shifts through the meadows into the road, which leads in the direction of Casterbridge.

Part V is entitled "Conclusion." In Chapter I the early summer has come again and with it Fancy's wedding day. This chapter is set in Geoffrey's house, which is full of visitors. Soon everybody joins the wedding procession and proceeds towards the church. After the ceremony, the wedding procession is followed. Chapter II is set Under the Greenwood Tree, near Geoffrey's cottage, where a space has been cleared for dancing.

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