Read the short excerpt from the novel and answer the question.

Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff's dwelling. 'Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather. Pure, bracing ventilation they must have up there at all times, indeed: one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun. Happily, the architect had foresight to build it strong: the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones.

Which descriptive detail from this excerpt reinforces the desolate setting characteristic of the Gothic novel?

a) "…gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun."
b) "Happily, the architect had foresight to build it strong…"
c) "…the corners defended with large jutting stones."
d) "Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff's dwelling."
e) "'Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective…"