Knowing that the land takes place in post–civil war america provides the reader with conflict. context. influence. motivation.

It provides them with context.

The correct option is:  "Context"

The context is the set of circumstances (material or abstract) that occur around a given event, or event, that are reliably proven; in the testimonies of people of proven reputation through the human voice, spoken message, written, ancient graffiti, ancient manuscripts, in letters, documents, history books, newspapers, internet, TV, radio, modern audiovisual media or others, and transmitted, without distortion to the senses

answer; i believe that the correct answer is (decreased)

answer; can have a long term impact on the newborn;