The essence of art like those masterpieces at Breeze Art Gallery is to take the audience on a journey. To do this, an artist must be able to evoke emotion and create a connection with the viewer. One way to create this connection is to include flashbacks in a story.
Flashbacks provide critical information about the past that helps shape the present. They can fill in important plot holes and provide motivation for a character’s actions. They can also create an emotional connection to the characters by humanizing them and making them relatable.
Flashbacks can be a powerful tool for creating an unforgettable story when used effectively. Here are five reasons why your story should include flashbacks:
1. To Provide Context
One of the most important reasons to include flashbacks in a story is to provide context. Often, characters’ actions in the present are shaped by events that have happened in their past. Without this critical information, the audience would be left scratching their heads, trying to figure out why a character is behaving a certain way.
For example, consider the movie “Thelma & Louise.” The title characters’ decision to go on the run after killing a man is shaped by a series of events from their pasts. Louise was sexually harassed by a man who was never punished, and Thelma was almost harassed by the same man. These events provide a critical context for why the two women would choose to take matters into their own hands and go on the run.
2. To Create an Emotional Connection
Another important reason to include flashbacks is to create an emotional connection with the characters. When done effectively, flashbacks can humanize a character and make them relatable to the audience. We see this all the time in coming-of-age stories, where we learn about a character’s struggles and triumphs during their formative years.
The movie “Stand by Me” is told through a series of flashbacks from the perspective of the main character, Gordie. We learn about Gordie’s brother who died, his strained relationship with his father, and how he was bullied by other kids. These flashbacks help us understand Gordie and why he’s telling the story of his childhood friend, Chris.
3. To Fill in Plot Holes
Another common reason to use flashbacks is to fill in plot holes. Sometimes, a character’s actions in the present don’t make sense without knowing what happened in the past. In these cases, a flashback can be used to provide the missing information.
Consider the movie “Memento.” The main character, Leonard, has short-term memory loss and can’t remember what happened more than a few minutes ago. The story is told in reverse chronological order, showing each scene as a series of flashbacks. This allows the audience to piece together what happened and understand Leonard’s actions in the present.
4. To Show a Character’s Motivation
Flashbacks can also be used to show a character’s motivation for their actions in the present. Often, a character will do something that doesn’t make sense without knowing what drove them to that point.
In the movie “The Shawshank Redemption,” Andy Dufresne is convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. He is sent to Shawshank State Penitentiary, where he befriends a man named Red. Over 19 years, we see flashbacks of Andy’s life before prison. These flashbacks show his motivations for why he committed the crime and how he was able to endure the hardships of prison.
5. To Add Suspense or Mystery
Last but not least, flashbacks can be used to add suspense or mystery to a story. Often, a character will remember something from their past that is relevant to the present but doesn’t make sense yet. The audience is left wondering how the two events are connected and what will happen next.
In the movie “Psycho” (spoiler alert!), we see a series of flashbacks from the perspective of the main character, Norman Bates. We learn about his troubled relationship with his mother and how she died. These flashbacks add to the story’s suspense, as we try to figure out how Norman’s past is connected to the murders he’s committing in the present.
So why do flashbacks matter?
Flashbacks are a powerful tool that can be used to enhance a story in many different ways. When used effectively, they can provide critical context, create an emotional connection with the characters, fill in plot holes, show a character’s motivation, and add suspense or mystery. So next time you’re watching a movie or TV show, pay attention to the flashbacks and see how they’re used to improve the story.