Final answer:
The community's reaction to the death of a child in literature ranges from curiosity and disturbance to deep empathy, evidenced by both the intrusive crowds and singular acts of kindness, like the Quaker woman's gentle care for the deceased and his mother.
Step-by-step explanation:
The community reaction to the death of Caleb, the child that drowned in the river, can be discerned through varied literary examples that describe communal reactions to death. From the excerpt provided, the community is depicted as curious and possibly intrusive, with many people crowding the cell to witness the aftermath. However, a notable exception is the Quaker woman, whose demeanor carries a sense of calm, respect, and gentle understanding as she tends to the body and offers comfort to the mourning mother, revealing a depth of compassion in her actions. Instances of community reactions to other deaths in literature - whether it's Peyton Farquhar's tragic end in 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' or the violent loss of Demby in another passage - illustrate that communities often respond with a complex mix of curiosity, horror, sorrow, and in some cases, indifference or detachment. Understanding community reactions to death can be deepened by examining these scenarios not only through the events that transpired but also by the emotions and actions reflected in the behavior of various community members who surround the tragedy. For instance, the description of the woman in white who places a vase of wood-leaves and berries by the deceased's side provides a poignant counter-response to the otherwise pervasive curiosity and disturbance following the death. Such a tender gesture suggests an individual and, by extension, a community's capacity for empathy amidst collective grief.