What is the literary term for the time and place in which a story occurs?

The term that describes the time and place in which a story occurs is "setting." Setting encompasses various elements such as geographical location, historical context, cultural background, and the social environment, all of which contribute to the backdrop against which the characters and events unfold. It establishes the mood of the story and can influence the plot and character development. Understanding the setting allows readers to grasp the significance of events and the characters' actions within the context of the world they inhabit, which is essential for interpreting the narrative effectively.

The other terms provide different functions within literature: theme refers to the central idea or message conveyed by the story, characterization involves the creation and development of characters, and plot describes the sequence of events that make up the story. Each of these elements plays an important role, but none specifically denote the time and place of the story as "setting" does.