Final answer:
The purpose of the outer narrative in a frame story is to frame and contextualize the inner story.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a frame story, the purpose of the outer narrative is to frame and contextualize the inner story. The outer narrative acts as a framework that surrounds and supports the main story or stories within the frame. It provides a context for the inner story, often setting the time, place, and perspective in which the main story is being told.
For example, in the novel 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, the outer narrative is used to frame and contextualize the main story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation. The outer narrative is conveyed through letters written by Robert Walton, who encounters Frankenstein in the Arctic. These letters provide background information, introduce the main characters, and set the stage for the inner narrative.
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