Final answer:
The setting of 1918 in a rural area in "The Scarlet Ibis" has symbolic significance, reflecting the narrative's themes and grounding the story in a realistic cultural and geographical context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The story "The Scarlet Ibis" was set in 1918 and in a rural area due to the symbolic significance of the time and setting, which is option C. The era of 1918 is historically important as it marks the end of the First World War and resonates with themes of loss and change which parallel the narrative's exploration of familial relationships and personal tragedy. Choosing a rural setting allows the story to evoke themes consistent with Regionalism and Local Color literature, emphasizing the importance of the environment and placing the characters in a specific geographical and cultural context that shapes their experiences and perspectives. Settings in literary works are used to ground the narrative in realism, adding emotional depth to the characters’ interactions and serving as a crucial backdrop against which the dramatic events unfold, enhancing both the believability and relatability of the story.