In the following excerpt from a dystopian novel, the setting serves not only as a backdrop but also as a catalyst for character development:
"The crumbling skyscrapers loomed in the hazy distance, their glass shattered and facades peeling like the skin of a long-forgotten corpse. The streets, once busy with the laughter and chatter of a thriving metropolis, now lay silent, save for the echo of distant sirens piercing through the oppressive fog. Here, in this forgotten part of the city, shadows moved furtively, whispering secrets of what had once been, a world pulsating with life now reduced to mere memories. As she walked along the cracked pavement, the remnants of streetlights flickered timidly, illuminating the debris of a society that had turned its back on humanity. The air was thick with despair, yet she pressed on, drawn by a flicker of hope that glimmered like an ember in the night."
Based on this passage, which aspect of the setting most significantly enhances the protagonist's emotional journey?