What is the purpose of a story's "resolution"?

The purpose of a story's "resolution" is fundamentally to provide closure by resolving conflicts and tying up loose ends. This stage of the narrative follows the climax, where the main tensions have reached their peak, and it serves to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. During the resolution, readers see how the characters have been affected by the events of the story and how conflicts have been addressed. This not only gives the audience a sense of completion but also allows for the themes of the story to be reflected upon as the final outcomes are revealed.

The other options describe different aspects of storytelling. Introducing the main characters and setting is a function of the exposition, not the resolution. Creating suspense is typically associated with building towards the climax, while developing themes and motifs occurs throughout the narrative and is not limited to the resolution phase. Thus, the resolution's primary role is to create closure, allowing readers to understand the implications of the story's events clearly.