The textual evidence that best supports the analysis that the setting develops the author's acceptance of death is A. "The Forest People could have killed me without fight."
Explanation:
"By the Waters of Babylon" is a short story by Stephen Vincent Benét. The main character, John, is a priest and a priest's son who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where metal is believed to be evil. After having a revelation, John decides to travel to a forbidden place, a place where it is believed by himself and his people that gods used to live.
On his way, John accepts death as a consequence of his decision. He's well aware of the dangers on the way, such as the Forest People. He knows there is nothing that can be done to prevent his being killed in case they attack, as the textual evidence proves: "The Forest People could have killed me without fight."
