Final answer:
Nathaniel Hawthorne uses a framing story in his novel to add depth, perspective, and to set up the point of view for the main narrative while exploring themes and the reliability of the narrator. The technique engages the reader, controls pacing, and reflects classical storytelling traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nathaniel Hawthorne uses a framing story for his novel to create a layered narrative that can introduce themes, settings, and characters in a structured way that adds depth and perspective to the main story. A framing story, which might involve a narrator relaying the central tale to an audience within the story itself, enables Hawthorne to set up a particular point of view or to prepare the reader for the themes of the main narrative. By using this technique, he can also explore narrative reliability and ask readers to question the trustworthiness of narrators, as they may color the story with their own biases and interests.
Furthermore, a framing story can create suspense, offer a transition to another character's point of view, or even present the story in a way that encourages the reader's active engagement by requiring them to contribute to the narrative or fill in details in a minimalistic style. It can also help control the pacing of the story and facilitate divisions between different sections or themes within the novel.
Last but not least, having a framing story aligns with the tradition of classical storytelling, where an outside narrator sets the stage before delving into the main tale. Hawthorne's use of this technique allows him to provide commentary and guide the reader's interpretation of the events and characters within his stories.