The scenes mentioned above serve as a revelatory moment for the reader because it is something Max himself hid from, and didn't reveal to us until he was forced to by events. One purpose the memory of his mother's death is to hit the reader very strongly, to shock us into feeling deeply empathetic for the boy, and to bring about feelings of hatred and contempt for his father. It was a mystery we were dying to learn the truth of since the beginning. It also enhanced characterization and made a lot of things clear about who Max was. It also furthers the man vs. self plot as Max has to cope with memories of something he didn't want to face. It's been something that has been eating at him since he was very young, and he's finally released from feelings of guilt, self-repugnance, and shame for fearing that he was a "chip off the old block."
Correction about the above comment: Freak's father took off shortly after Kevin was born, despising him for his medicla condition. It was Max's father who kidnapped Max.
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