How Do the Physical and Social Settings in the Story "Death by Landscape" by Margaret Atwood Contribute to the Story's Overall Meaning?

Traumatic events can shape an entire lifetime. In Margaret Atwood’s “Death by Landscape” the protagonist, Lois is haunted after the mysterious disappearance of her close childhood friend, Lucy, who suddenly vanishes off a cliff during their camping excursion in the vast wilderness of northern Ontario. Her disappearance leaves Lois traumatized, and obsessed for decades. The physical and social settings of Lois’ earlier years in the story surround Camp Manitou. This is where Lois meets and forms an inseparable bond with Lucy, and where Lucy subsequently disappears, leaving Lois in a state of shock. Both the physical and social settings mirror the critical events, and underscore the enormous impact that Lucy’s disappearance has on Lois’ life. Decades later the emotional effect of Lucy’s disappearance forces Lois to encapsulate herself in the security of a small waterfront apartment. Here, she continues to search the landscape paintings on her wall for answers to the mystery.

The physical and social settings during Lois’ time at Camp Manitou contribute substantially to her happiness and later, obsession. Camp Manitou is an old camp site located in the immense wilderness of northern Ontario where families send their young children in the summer. This is the landscape where Lois’ friend, Lucy mysteriously disappears.

At thirteen years old, Lois meets Lucy at camp, and for two summers they are inseparable. The social settings presented at Camp Manitou, demonstrate teamwork, camaraderie and close friendships like that developed by Lois and Lucy. Here, the children participate in camp activities and rituals together. They “learn to swim well and sail, and paddle a canoe or perhaps ride a horse or play tennis” (Atwood, 25). The team rituals and camp experiences present the links between the social and physical settings in the story. One significant ritual is the canoe trip “special send-off ceremony” (Atwood, 29) where camp leader, Cappie, and his leadership team...