The mention of gentlemen's names in the narrative's opening sentence serves to establish credibility and foreshadow the unfolding of the story, while also providing background information that helps readers visualize the setting and characters.
The narrator mentions the gentlemen's names in the opening sentence to establish credibility, suggesting that many are interested in his tale, which builds anticipation for the story. As seen in different literary works, the mention of specific characters at the beginning of a narrative serves to lay the groundwork for the entire story, engaging the reader's curiosity about the characters and their importance to the narrative.
For example, in the contextual excerpts provided, the narrators introduce characters and settings to enhance the reader's understanding of the context and to signal the reliability or unreliability of the first-person narrative. The credibility of the narrator is often judiciously assessed through how they describe themselves and their surroundings, through personal experience, or how they introduce other characters.
In works by authors such as Twain and Melville, the characterization of individuals also helps in foreshadowing their roles and the unfolding of the plot. This technique is used to create a bond between the reader and the story, as the narrative unfolds with references to shared experiences, building trust and expectations. Background information on characters, such as their occupation and experiences, provides depth and authenticity to the story, contributing to the reader's ability to visualize the inhabitants and settings, thus immersing them in the narrative world.