In “Mrs. Dalloway,” flashback reflects fragmented memories shaping identity; in “Beloved,” it reveals traumatic history informing current reality.

Flashback serves as a distraction from present events in both novels by shifting focus exclusively to secondary characters’ histories.

Both novels present flashbacks as independent stories with little connection to primary narrative arcs or characters’ growth.

Each novel relies on chronological flashbacks that offer detailed accounts starting from each character’s birth onward.