Setting" is one of the six elements of narrative (Style, Setting, Mood (same as Tone... mention that to your teacher), Plot, Characterization, Theme. The author’s Attitude is more correctly termed Theme; it defines the intent of the work.
It’s simplistic to say Setting must name a specific locale. Other factors of Setting are light and dark, cold or warmth, loudness or calm; all aspects of physical environment.
Identify the Theme yourself. What do you think Thomas is trying to say? What is his message?
As for Setting, nothing in the poem gives a hint where his father is physically.. a hospital? Not likely. He could be in a chair in front of a hearth fire. He could be conversing with Dylan on a veranda, absorbing the warmth of a sunny day.
Instead, Setting is brilliantly utilized by Thomas to bring us into his Theme. Thomas makes us visualize dark and light: Wise men know dark is right... Good men see how bright their deeds... Wild men catch the sun in flight... Grave men near death (rather a stretched pun) with blind eyes blazing like meteors .
And, ultimately his father on the sad height subtly fuses the rhyme scheme into the setting of dark and light.
The Setting enhances the other elements: Mood; Style (the technique of using words; here it’s scansion, rhyme scheme, and cadence); Characterization (both Dylan and father are vividly present, communicating); Plot (the rich action and suspense); all together leave us in no doubt of Theme.
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