Final answer:
Chekhov utilized flashbacks in 'The Bet' to create a complex narrative that enhances character development, explores the human condition, and provides a deeper understanding of the themes presented in the story.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chekhov used flashbacks as a narrative device in the story The Bet to add depth and complexity to the story's structure, and to gradually reveal the central themes and character development throughout the tale. By using flashbacks, audiences experience a non-linear story progression that can offer more dramatic weight and a deeper understanding of the events and motivations of the characters.
Flashbacks provide an opportunity for Chekhov to explore the characters' pasts, revealing how their experiences shape their present actions and choices. This method enhances the dramatic tension and can help elucidate the moral and existential questions posed by the story.
Moreover, flashbacks allow Chekhovs' stories to unfold in a way that challenges the viewer's perceptions and expectations, evoking an examination of the human condition and the varied responses to it. It's like setting a stage where insights, emotional truths, and stark realizations about life can be explored beyond mere linear narrative, thereby enriching the audience's overall experience and understanding.