Final answer:
Chapter one of 'Station Eleven' is set in the pre-apocalyptic time period, just before a pandemic causes the collapse of civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
In chapter one of Station Eleven, the novel is set in the pre-apocalyptic time period. The narrative begins with a theater production of King Lear, which occurs in the present time relative to the novel's characters, shortly before the collapse of civilization due to a flu pandemic.
The time period is significant as it establishes the normalcy and connectivity of the characters' world, which contrasts sharply with the post-apocalyptic landscape depicted later in the book. Understanding whether the novel takes place in the present, past, or future helps to comprehend how the time period affects the language, atmosphere, and social circumstances.
For example, the use of contemporary language and settings in the pre-apocalyptic scenes highlights the drastic changes that the characters experience later on.