Why does the author begin the story in the present, shift to the past, and then finish back in the present? A so that the reader
stays engaged and does not get bored B so that the reader learns about the background of the character and is better able to determine his motivations C so that the reader can determine previous external conflicts in the main character's life and therefore better understand the overall theme of the story D so that the reader is engrossed in a complex plot with intricate characters and multiple conflicts.
It would be "<span>I was present at the sessions of the great Congress in the month of December." He is using that sentence to give credibility to what follows.</span>
