How to Contrast Setting with Emotion

I picked up this gem about setting and emotion at a writer’s conference: Consider putting your character’s ina location or settingthat contrasts the scene’s emotional impact.

This was the example:you’re writing a scene abouta family that has to deal with a significantdeath in the family. The parents have saved all year and paidup front to take their children ona vacation to Disney World… and the trip beginsthe day afterthe funeral. What would that be like?

A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton...