Explain n words how the quote helps support the thinking about, why/how the setting is important to the plot.

"Daylight came at nine o'clock. At the mouth of the Mackenzie River, one could scarcely see across the fifty yards of tumbling water to the foaming white head beyond where the waves were fighting their way into the Arctic ice" (Chapter 1, page 1).

This quote highlights the harsh and unforgiving nature of the Arctic environment, which is a crucial element of the setting. The bitterly cold temperatures, the vast expanse of ice, and the treacherous waves all pose significant challenges to the characters and their survival. The setting not only serves as a backdrop to the plot, but it also shapes the characters' actions and decisions. Through this quote, readers can appreciate how integral the setting is to the story's development.