Dialogue

Dialogue:

The conversation between two characters in a novel or drama. It will occur in most works of literature. The point of dialogue is to move the plot along while advancing the characters' personalities. It adds the aspect of human interaction to the story. (Glossary of Literary Terms).

Examples:

"Of course we all know the fellow's bankrupt…that's nothing new. What is new is that, having bled his unfortunate subjects white by means of more or less legitimate extortion, he is now taking to cruder methods. In fact, not to put too fine a point on it, to outright robbery."

This extract of dialogue taken from Heat and Dust advances the plot in such a way that we learn more about a Nawab from Major Minnies, who is speaking to a group of people. This is something we would not have known without dialogue.

(In the context of suttee) "Oh I could!" cried Olivia…"I'd want to. I mean, I just wouldn't want to go on living. I'd be //grateful// for such a custom."

Through this extract we can see character development of Olivia. These kinds' spurts of emotion are impossible without the use of dialogue.