Which statement best captures the function of flashbacks in literature?

Flashbacks are a narrative technique that allows authors to present events that have already occurred, thereby providing the reader with important background information. The correct answer highlights that flashbacks reveal background that explains present motivations, demonstrating their role in character development and plot progression. By illustrating past experiences, traumas, or relationships, flashbacks enrich the reader's understanding of why characters behave in certain ways or make specific choices in the present timeline of the story. This deeper insight into a character's past can create emotional resonance and add complexity to their current actions and decisions. In doing so, flashbacks contribute significantly to the overall narrative by connecting past events to current circumstances, enhancing the reader's engagement with the characters and their journeys.