Setting

Physical setting

The physical setting of the story “The Company of Wolves” by Angela Carter is an unnamed place, a “region of mountain and forest” (p. 1, l. 14) in a “savage country” (p. 3, l. 9). The vague, unnamed location is typical of fairy-tales. The forest is an important part of the setting and is described in detail:

Step between the portals of the great pines where the shaggy branches tangle about you, trapping the unwary traveller in nets as if the vegetation itself were in a plot with the wolves who live there, as though the wicked trees go fishing on behalf of their friends – step between the gateposts of the forest with the greatest trepidation and infinite precautions… (p. 1, ll. 21-25). 

With this example, the narrator highlights the dangers of the forest and sets the tone for the dark events that are going to happen later. The forest is also described in detail when the girl e...