Ask HN: What is the point of Front end Framework?

What are the key strengths of front-end frameworks that set them apart and drive their popularity? With so many frameworks out there, what motivates their diversity? Also, for both large and small-scale projects, is it viable to forego front-end frameworks and rely solely on HTML, JS, and CSS? As a junior web dev, I'm curious because I haven't encountered scenarios where front-end frameworks were a clear necessity, but I'm open to insights from the experienced HN community!