Where dies the story take place?in what way does the setting affect the story ? Does it make you more or less likely to Anticipate the ending

The story takes place in the nondescript past. It is a small agricultural town. The setting seems familiar enough. The crowd gathers in the small town for some kind of event. We can only tell something is amiss if we really study Jackson's narrative. I think Jackson meant to lull the reader into false confidence, which makes her ending all the more shocking.