How do flashbacks enhance the narrative?

Flashbacks serve to enrich the narrative by offering relevant context for current events, allowing readers to understand the motivations and experiences of characters on a deeper level. In "The Art of Racing in the Rain," flashbacks are integral in illustrating the protagonist's past, revealing crucial experiences that shape his present circumstances and relationships. This context can illuminate character decisions, emotional responses, and thematic elements, enhancing the overall storytelling by connecting past events to the present narrative arc.

While other choices may touch on aspects of flashbacks, they do not encompass the primary function of flashbacks as effectively. For instance, while flashbacks can introduce surprise elements, they are most powerful when they clarify the current situation rather than merely creating confusion or serving solely as backstory.