The importance of intercalary chapters

The novel Cry the Beloved Country includes a chapter of side stories which are not part of the narrative called intercalary chapters. These stories are important because they help the reader have perspective from people in different social groups on the events that are taking place during the time of the story.  This perspective is background information.  Having it broadens the reader's knowledge of the choices made by the main characters in the narrative.  The choices of a character tells who the character is which leads into foreshadowing future decisions and what one can take away from the book.  One example of of how background information adds to the readers understanding of a character's choices relates to Gertrude's choice of income before Kumalo rescues her.  Gertrude was a prostitute which is horrible, but she did have a small source of income to pay for food for her son and herself.  Another woman did not choose to be a prostitute and her son died.  Please don't misunderstand; Gertrude's source of income was horrible but with knowledge from the intercalary chapters someone can understand why she did it.  The reasoning behind her choice adds to Gertrude's character in the narrative.