Since its first publication in 1995, JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has been, without a doubt, the greatest epic fantasy ever written. It encapsulates the classic "good versus evil" theme, along with its various subplots and well-developed characters; the novel's depth and richness of detail make it a timeless piece of literature. However, the true success of the story lies in its exemplary balance between realism and fantasy. To achieve this dimension, Tolkien structures his novel through a narrative plot: a story within a story in which the narrator provides both the context and the story of the internal narrative. In the prologue of The Lord of the Rings, a historical framework is developed as Tolkien addresses “The Red Book of Heartmarch,” an all-encompassing, theoretical framework for all the stories of Middle-earth, including The Lord of the Rings. This supposed external framework, which supposedly is the source of Tolkien's narrative, is critical to the novel's success and acclaim. It represents the larger realities of Middle-earth, multilateral perspectives, and adds vast depth to its already complex fantasies. Through the use of this device, readers can relate to such an imaginative universe. Similarly, in Edith Wharton's acclaimed novel, Ethan Frome, a narrative plot is also used to add depth and realism. Wharton wrote the prologue and epilogue to form an overarching framework around the tragic story of Ethan Frome. He uses this structure to convey Ethan's complicated and tearful life, while also influencing the realism and social reaction that Ethan, Mattie, and Zeena suffer from. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The frame structure, exemplified by the narrator in the prologue, is used as an intermediary to create minimal uncertainty, while also adding dimension to the storytelling technique. Both scale and uncertainty are the building blocks of any real world, and Wharton uses these elements to refrain from utopian implications on her image. Through the use of plot and narrator in the prologue, Wharton is able to introduce realism to her readers which not only adds to her rhetoric but also affirms a strong author-reader relationship. The unknown narrator first meets Ethan Frome at the local post office in Starkfield and is immediately intrigued by his appearance. The narrator recalls: “I saw him for the first time; and the sight cheered me up suddenly. (Wharton 3). The narrator's curiosity, in this case, parallels that of the reader. The element of uncertainty and dimension seen in the narrator's development translates into the reader's curiosity. Through this tactical use of a narrative plot, Wharton is able to contemporaryize the reader into Frome's journey. The structure of the frame allows Wharton to demonstrate her intentions of a realistic image through construction and attention to "minor details". (Wharton xviii). He understands that the two fundamental elements of his framework are "the deeply rooted reticence and inarticulability of people" (Wharton xviii) and "the effect of 'roundness'" (Wharton xviii). Like uncertainty and scale, these elements also convey realism and are prevalent throughout the frame. Mattie Silver is a dynamic and rounded character, she is extremely realistic and increases in complexity together with Ethan Frome. On the other hand, the fact that Ethan Frome is silent by nature represents Wharton's secretive intentions. The combination of narrative plot, narrator, and realistic intentions comes to a conclusion in the epilogue..