What do the flashbacks reveal about Okonkwo's and Unoka's relationship in Things Fall Apart?

Flashbacks add dimension to Achebe's writing. The
flashbacks reveal Okonkwo's images of his father. The flashbacks help develop the
character of Unoka. The reader can get a visual image of Unoka. Likewise, the reader can
understand the relationship between Okonkwo and his father. It is easy to see why
Okonkwo fears becoming like his father. It is easy to see why Okonkwo despises the
father he knew as lazy and dishonorable.

Through the
flashbacks, readers can understand emotional and physical characteristics of characters
who are introduced. Unoka enjoys the party life; drinking and playing his flute are
things he enjoys. Without the flashbacks, the reader would not have clear images into
the character Unoka. Flashbacks give the reader an opportunity to see into Okonkwo's
past. The reader can imagine how disturbed Okonkwo is because of his father's passive,
lazy actions when Okonkwo was just a young boy.

Using a
falshback helps the author insert information that cannot be revealed in any other way.
It is a technique or tool that moves the story
forward:

The
purpose of the flashback is simple: it is a technique that bridges time, place
and action to reveal information about the character, or move the story
forward.