Chronotope

A chronotope is a concept used in literary theory and cultural studies that combines time and space to highlight how they influence each other in narratives. It reflects how different settings and periods shape characters' experiences and actions. For example, the atmosphere of a bustling city in the 1920s can evoke specific themes of progress and change. Chronotopes help us understand how stories convey meaning through their temporal and spatial contexts, emphasizing that time and place are not just backgrounds, but active elements that shape the story's dynamics and characters' lives.