Question

asiide: when a character speaks directly to the audience and is not heard by other characters on stage. this is used to give the reader insight into a characters inner thoughts, secrets, or comments. usually this is used to add humor, comment with the audience, or create dramatic irony.
in the prologue, the storyteller speaks directly to the audience. examine the text to determine the purpose of the aside.

aside text example

purpose

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storyteller: welcome to la herraduría, the most legendary market in monsteria. there are three things you need to know about this place. number one, its magical.

the purpose of this is to help the reader better understand the setting.

storyteller: number two! during the day, this market belongs to the living. but at night...<br>(the lights dim. the market goes still.)<br>storyteller: ... this market belongs to the eternals, mischievous ghosts who appear as children.

storyteller: number three! the market is run by la generala. it has many rules.

storyteller: here is generala. its a big day for her. she is opening her new store.

storyteller: she is taking over the stall that belonged to her abuelita, mama maman.<br>(the storyteller starts to exit, then looks back at generala.)<br>storyteller: poor soul. she has no idea whats coming...

Explanation:

1. For the second aside: The storyteller reveals a supernatural secret about the market, building intrigue and setting up a spooky tone for the story.
2. For the third aside: The storyteller introduces the market's ruler, adding key world-building context to establish power dynamics in the setting.
3. For the fourth aside: The storyteller introduces the main character and her key goal, setting up the core plot of the story.
4. For the fifth aside: The storyteller shares backstory about the stall, giving context for the character's motivation and conflict.
5. For the sixth aside: The storyteller teases upcoming conflict, building suspense to hook the audience.

Answer:

1. Storyteller: Number two! During the day, this market belongs to the living. But at night... [The lights dim. The narrator goes still.] Storyteller: ... this market belongs to the ethereal, mischievous ghosts who appear as children.

• Purpose: Builds spooky intrigue and establishes the market's supernatural rules.

1. Storyteller: Number three! The market is run by La Generala. It has many rules.

• Purpose: Establishes the setting's authority figure and core structure.

1. Storyteller: Here is Mercedes. It's a big day for her. She is opening her own store.

• Purpose: Introduces the protagonist and her central plot goal.

1. Storyteller: She is taking over the stall that belonged to her abuela, Maria Mamona. [The storyteller starts to exit, then looks back at Mercedes.]

• Purpose: Provides backstory to explain the character's personal stake.

1. Storyteller: Poor soul. She has no idea what's coming...

• Purpose: Teases future conflict and builds audience suspense.