Impact of Non-Linear Structure on Character Development

In the following excerpt from a fictional novel, the protagonist undergoes a significant transformation as the net of interpersonal relationships around them unravels. Analyze how the structure of the passage contributes to the development of the protagonist's character. The narrator describes various events in non-linear fashion, interspersing past memories with present actions, ultimately leading to a moment of realization.

Based on this detailed analysis of the plot and structure, what effect does this technique have on the reader's understanding of the protagonist's emotional journey?