Which narrative technique interrupts chronological flow to provide background information?

The technique that interrupts chronological flow to provide background information is known as a flashback. A flashback allows the author to convey past events or scenes, which helps to deepen the reader's understanding of a character's motivations or the context of the current narrative. By providing this background information, the author can create a richer storytelling experience, enhancing the emotional impact and complexity of the plot.

In contrast, dialogue focuses on the communication between characters and doesn't necessarily provide a broader context of past events. Foreshadowing hints at future events but does not delve into the past. Exposition is used to introduce the setting, characters, and initial circumstances but does not specifically interrupt the flow of the story in the same way that a flashback does. Thus, the distinctive role of a flashback in narrative techniques is its ability to break the linear timeline to enrich the story with essential background information.