Final answer:
The setting of a story, as described in "Watching the World from the Riverbank," creates the rules that govern the story's reality, influencing the mood and the unfolding of themes. It encompasses time, place, cultural, and social elements and is integral to exposition and character development.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to "Watching the World from the Riverbank," the setting of a story helps create C. The rules that govern the story's reality. The setting is the context within which the plot unfolds and characters develop. It consists of the time and place where a narrative occurs, but also extends to social norms, cultural contexts, and environmental factors that influence the story. For example, a dark and oppressive setting may establish a mood that significantly affects the narrative, like in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." This setting influences not only the mood of the story, but can also mirror the internal development of characters, such as the house representing the deteriorating minds of the Usher siblings.
The setting goes beyond mere backdrop, contributing to the story's mood, highlighting certain elements of the theme, and establishing the platform of reality on which the story plays out. For instance, a story's setting during a specific historical period could illuminate certain conflicts, inform character decisions, and relay a deeper underlying message from the author to the readers. It's an integral aspect of story's exposition, weaving in the threads that hint at the themes and conflicts that will evolve as the narrative progresses.