Hannah Kent's novel Burial Rites explores how the turbulent setting of 19th-century Iceland itself reflects to a large extent the turmoil experienced by the key characters of the narrative. Kent's juxtaposition of brutal, freezing winters with abundant, brilliant summers and springs along with eerie, dubious autumns represents the dynamic, ever-changing turmoil and turmoil that characters such as Reverend Toti and Margret undergo through their interaction with Agnes Magnusdottir , a criminal convicted of murder. . Agnes' inner turmoil is also reflected in the setting. The rustic yet callous Icelandic environment profoundly reflects Reverend Toti's confusion and uncertainty as he matures from a young, naive boy to a truly honorable man. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Initially, when Toti decides to meet Agnes in Kornsa, he feels confident and is determined to save Agnes. The environment around him is pleasant, as “the clouds have begun to clear” and “the soft red light of the late June sun has flooded the pass.” Kent's lyrical description of time emulates Toti's lively emotional state, which is one of courage and certainty. In contrast, when he leaves Kornsa, despondent and disappointed by his meeting with Agnes, “the rain began to fall and the wind grew stronger,” with the light “quickly disappearing.” The violent storm, combined with the disappearance of the light, seems to mock Toti's previous confidence in meeting Agnese. The second stage of Toti's transformation against the setting is the meeting with the district commissioner Blondal. By now Toti has created a significant bond with Agnese and is slowly maturing, a bond of friendship. When Toti is exposed to a portrait of Agnes filled with malice and resentment by Blondal, Toti is momentarily disarmed. As she leaves Blondal's office and goes outside, the landscape has become “cloudy and dark,” like Toti's perception of Agnes. Toti confirms that even the landscape is "in tune with its confusion". Kent here reiterates Toti's upset at Agnes's different manifestation and her disorientation about whether to continue supporting Agnes. Towards the end of Agnese's life, Toti's metamorphosis is completed on a cold January day. Toti, sick with fever, receives the news that Agnese will die within six days. Determined, he dresses and refuses his father's pleas for sanity, as "it's snowing outside." Reverend Jon urges his son not to kill himself for “the sake of this murderer,” because “the cold will kill you.” Toti, however, resists her father, as Kent shows Toti's final transformation into a young man, who knows his duty and need to be with Agnes. Agnes' turmoil is echoed in the strong superstition she brings with her against the backdrop of the strong Lutheran Church. Agnes' search for love and warmth in her otherwise depressing life often leads her to turn away from the Church. This is due to its illegitimacy, which is considered sinful, wrong and consequently attracts stigma. Agnes's life is rooted in superstition, stemming from her early abandonment as a child, seen in Agnes's surprising reverence for ravens, "Cruel birds, ravens, but wise." Agnes eschews religion in favor of superstition and sagas, "I prefer a story to a prayer," as it provides comfort and fulfillment that religion could never give her and she believes she does not deserve it. However, Agnes' isolation from religion and society serves to diminish her reputation in the North Iceland community. To combat this.