Final answer:
The author's purpose in a story can vary, often aiming to entertain, educate, persuade, or criticize, depending on how the story engages readers and the message it seeks to convey.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author's purpose in a story can be to entertain, to educate, to persuade, or to criticize. When identifying the purpose, one should consider factors like the story's theme, how it engages its audience, and if the author is trying to convey a specific message. For example, a story that includes humor, interesting characters, or dramatic situations may aim to entertain the readers, whereas a text laden with facts, analyses, or instructive language could suggest an educational intent. If the story tries to convince the readers of a certain viewpoint, or to take action, its purpose is likely to persuade. In the case of a narrative that highlights societal flaws or critiques certain behavior, the author's goal might be to criticize.
Considering the story of the former slave who travels back to the South to finish paying his former owner for his freedom, it seems the purpose of this story is to evoke specific emotions, to reflect on the past, and to possibly educate or persuade the audience to consider the complex realities of freedom and moral conscience.