What is the impact of using flashbacks in storytelling?

Using flashbacks in storytelling significantly adds depth by providing context to the narrative. Flashbacks allow the audience to gain insight into a character's backstory, motivations, and the events that have shaped their current situation. This contextual information enriches the narrative, making characters more relatable and their actions more understandable. By revealing important past experiences, flashbacks can highlight themes, emotional struggles, or conflicts that resonate throughout the story, thus enhancing the audience's engagement with the plot and its characters.

While other options may touch on aspects of storytelling, they do not capture the primary advantage of flashbacks as effectively as this choice does. For instance, while flashbacks can create suspense or allow for introspection, these elements are often secondary to the primary role of providing crucial background information that informs the present narrative. Additionally, the assertion that flashbacks do not influence the plot overlooks their ability to shape character arcs and affect the storyline significantly.