Frame Story

Definition

A frame story is a narrative technique in which a main story serves as a framework to enclose one or more other stories within it. This method allows for the exploration of different themes, characters, and perspectives, all while maintaining a cohesive structure. The frame story often sets the stage, providing context and a unifying thread that connects the embedded tales, making it an effective device in medieval romance narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The frame story technique is commonly used in medieval romances to introduce multiple adventures or tales within a single overarching plot.
2. One of the most famous examples of a frame story is Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales,' where various characters share their tales while traveling together.
3. Frame stories often serve to enhance character development by allowing different voices and viewpoints to emerge throughout the narrative.
4. This narrative style can also create a sense of distance between the audience and the inner stories, encouraging readers to reflect on the themes presented.
5. In medieval romance, frame stories frequently explore themes of love, chivalry, and moral lessons through the embedded tales.

Review Questions

• How does a frame story enhance the character development within medieval romance narratives?
  • A frame story allows for the introduction of multiple characters and their distinct perspectives, which enriches character development. As different characters share their own tales within the framework, readers gain insight into their motivations, backgrounds, and moral values. This multifaceted approach encourages a deeper understanding of each character while also creating connections among them as they navigate shared experiences.
• Discuss how frame stories serve as a narrative device to explore themes in medieval romances.
  • Frame stories provide a versatile structure for exploring various themes in medieval romances by allowing multiple sub-narratives to unfold within a larger context. This technique enables authors to tackle complex issues such as love, honor, and morality from diverse angles. By interweaving different tales, the main narrative can highlight contrasting perspectives or reinforce central themes, creating a richer reading experience that invites reflection on societal values.
• Evaluate the significance of Chaucer's use of frame stories in 'The Canterbury Tales' and its impact on medieval literature as a whole.
  • 'The Canterbury Tales' exemplifies Chaucer's masterful use of frame stories to weave together various individual tales while reflecting on the social dynamics of his time. Each character's narrative provides not only entertainment but also critical commentary on societal norms and human behavior. This innovative structure influenced later literature by demonstrating how narratives can coexist within a single framework, paving the way for future authors to explore complex themes through interconnected storytelling.

Related terms

Anthology: A collection of stories or works by various authors, often compiled around a specific theme or subject.

Narrative Structure: The organized format of a narrative, encompassing the sequence of events and how they are arranged within the story.

Metafiction: A form of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, often blurring the boundary between fiction and reality.