Lourdes wore oversized, dark sunglasses, hoping she wouldn't be recognized but worried that she looked conspicuous. She had come to the tiny town of Smithfield to research her next novel, as it would take place in a similar lakeside village where everyone knows everyone else. Lourdes had checked into the only hotel downtown under an assumed name. If even one person here discovered she was the celebrated best-selling novelist, soon the whole town would know, and her research would be spoiled

Question

Lourdes wore oversized, dark sunglasses, hoping she wouldn't be recognized but worried that she looked conspicuous. She had come to the tiny town of Smithfield to research her next novel, as it would take place in a similar lakeside village where everyone knows everyone else. Lourdes had checked into the only hotel downtown under an assumed name. If even one person here discovered she was the celebrated best-selling novelist, soon the whole town would know, and her research would be spoiled
 How does the setting contribute most immediately to the story?
It provides background information for the protagonist's next novel.
It reveals the protagonist is so famous that people will recognize her.
 It makes the protagonist's desire to remain disguised part of the plot.

GPT 3.5 · Answer

It sets the tone of secrecy and intrigue for the story.