Final answer:
The exposition of a story establishes the initial setting, introduces characters, and foreshadows conflicts and themes. Depending on the story, the exposition could explain a character's background, such as Frithiof's upbringing or his relationship with Ingebord, helping to shape the reader's understanding of plot and character development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The exposition of a story serves a crucial role in establishing the scene, introducing characters, and hinting at conflicts and themes that will be developed throughout the narrative. In the context of a character like Frithiof, the exposition might detail his upbringing, which could suggest how it influenced his love for piracy (Option A) or it could focus on his relationship with Ingebord, explaining how they were raised together (Option B). Another possibility is that the exposition provides insight into Frithiof's past, such as the reasons behind him being abandoned by his father (Option C), or it could develop the character by highlighting inherited traits like his heroic strength (Option D).
Knowledge of the exposition's functions, such as setting the scene and introducing characters, combined with understanding of literary devices like dialogue revealing backstory or the utilization of factual settings to develop fictional characters against a historical backdrop, allows for an analysis of the exposition's effect on the story. For instance, in historical fictional narratives, authors may juxtapose fictional characters with historical events to create a believable story that still adheres to historical accuracy. This technique enriches the exposition by grounding it in a sense of reality, as seen in works like Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.
Therefore, the effect of the exposition is to lay the foundation upon which the story's plot, character development, and thematic elements are built, with its particular focus varying based on the story's needs and the author's intent.