What is the main purpose of backstory in a narrative?

But we pulled at the grill [on the ground] and it gave way. and then we saw iron rings as steps leading down a shaft into a darkness without bottom. … it was a great tunnel. its walls were hard and smooth to the touch; it felt like stone, but it was not stone. on the ground there were long thin tracks of iron, but it was not iron; it felt smooth and cold as glass. we knelt, and we crawled forward, our hand groping along the iron line to see where it would lead. but there was an unbroken night ahead. what is the most likely explanation for the walls described in the bold text?

What are some words that start with dict-say ( i can only think of dictator) ; ( so much pls respond.

Ash: are we going to the dance? kate: yes, why wouldn’t we be? ash: because jessie told me you wanted to go with him. kate: yeah, because jessie is my best friend! ash: okay well i’m you’re boyfriend kate: well we can all go together! ash: okay i guess. kate: what are you going to ware? ash: just a black suit you? kate: a purple dress. ash: oh cool, i have to go i’ll talk to you later. kate: okay katie: why did you tell ash we were going to the dance? jessie: because he does not deserve you! i do! katie: we have been best friends for years what are you talking about? jessie: exactly! we have been friends forever! i love you more than he ever will! katie: that’s crazy this needs to stop! jessie: i won’t stop until you go to the dance with me and not ash! can you translate this into asl? you so much!