Final answer:
Chaucer uses the structure of The Canterbury Tales to explore characters' identities and present a variety of stories. The frame narrative allows for a diverse cast of characters and raises questions of point of view and reliability.
Step-by-step explanation:
In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer uses the structure of the storytelling contest to explore the identities of the characters and present a variety of stories. The frame narrative allows Chaucer to create a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique background and perspective. By switching between different characters and their tales, Chaucer is able to play with the idea of masks or veiled identities, as each character presents a different side of themselves through their stories.
The structure of the novel also raises questions of point of view and reliability. Chaucer can choose to present the tales through an omniscient narrator or have the tales told by one of the characters within the story. This allows the reader to consider the biases and interests of the narrator, adding complexity to the characters and their stories.