Read the following excerpt from a fictional narrative:
In the heart of the coastal town, the once-bustling pier now lay in disarray. Just a year prior, the boardwalk was teeming with life, laughter, and the salty scent of fresh seafood. However, after the storm swept through, its remnants lay scattered, a haunting reminder of fragility. Amidst the debris, Eleanor stood, tracing the lines of her memories, feeling the weight of lost joy.
How does the author’s depiction of the pier serve to enhance the central theme of loss throughout the narrative?