What are frame narratives?

A frame narrative is like having a story inside another story, it’s like reading a book that starts with someone telling you a tale, and then that tale has its own characters and adventures.

Imagine you're sitting on the couch with your favorite grandparent. They start by saying, “I want to tell you a story about my childhood.” That's the frame narrative, the part where they're telling you they’re going to share something special. Then, in that story, there might be a character who goes on a big adventure, meets new friends, and solves a problem. That’s the story inside the frame, like the tale your grandparent is sharing.

Now think of it like a Russian doll, you open one, and inside is another little doll, and inside that one is even smaller! The first story (the grandparent's voice) is like the biggest doll, and each story inside is a little doll inside.

Sometimes, after the big adventure is over, your grandparent might say, “That’s how it all happened, and that’s why I remember it so well.” That’s the frame narrative closing in, bringing everything back to you, the listener. A frame narrative is like having a story inside another story, it’s like reading a book that starts with someone telling you a tale, and then that tale has its own characters and adventures.

Imagine you're sitting on the couch with your favorite grandparent. They start by saying, “I want to tell you a story about my childhood.” That's the frame narrative, the part where they're telling you they’re going to share something special. Then, in that story, there might be a character who goes on a big adventure, meets new friends, and solves a problem. That’s the story inside the frame, like the tale your grandparent is sharing.

Now think of it like a Russian doll, you open one, and inside is another little doll, and inside that one is even smaller! The first story (the grandparent's voice) is like the biggest doll, and each story inside is a little doll inside.

Sometimes, after the big adventure is over, your grandparent might say, “That’s how it all happened, and that’s why I remember it so well.” That’s the frame narrative closing in, bringing everything back to you, the listener.