Prose Analysis: Setting and Emotional Reflection

Read the following passage from a contemporary novel:

"The worn-out playground, once vibrant and filled with laughter, now lay desolate under a gray sky. Rusty swings creaked with the whispers of the wind, and the faded colors of the slide had all but succumbed to the relentless sun. In the distance, skeletal trees swayed against the backdrop of an abandoned factory, their jagged silhouettes a stark reminder of what once thrived. This was not just a place for children; it was the forgotten heart of a community, resonating with echoes of memories, laughter now silenced, dreams unfulfilled."

Consider how the author uses setting to reflect the emotional state of the characters within the narrative. Which of the following options best describes how the setting contributes to the overall themes of the work?