The author provides facts about the scenario when describing the elements of the scenario.
We can arrive at this answer because:
Facts are information that can be proven through evidence.
When an author decides to present facts about the setting, that author needs to describe the elements of that setting, in addition to showing how those elements fit into the story.
These elements are important to show how the setting is part of the work of fiction, as these elements have an importance in the story that should be easily recognized by the reader.
This recognition is established by the detailed description of the scenario.
You have not shown the text this question refers to, which prevents me from writing a specific answer, but I hope the above information will help you.
"You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It's really a new day for us. But from the way you and Mama still live you'd never know it."
