Question

What is a sob story meant to do ?

Answer 1

Answer:

a story or explanation intended to make someone feel sympathy for the person relating it.

Answer 2

A sob story is one that is supposed to tug at your heartstrings. It's goal is to overflow with saddened emotions. It's goal could even be to get you to shed a few tears. The overall "goal" is to make the reader feel totally immersed into the sad story. To completely feel all of the sad emotion.

I hope this helped. :)