The most accurate response to the question about the significance of the play being set in New England in 1866 is:
The Civil War had just ended, and the North was a safer place than the South for women who were fighting for voting rights for all.
This response highlights the historical context and the implications of the setting on the characters and their struggles in the play. It emphasizes the opportunities in the North for women to advocate for their rights following the Civil War, which aligns with the themes of suffrage and social justice.