How is "dialogue" defined in literature?

In literature, "dialogue" refers to the written conversational exchange between characters in a literary work. This component serves as a crucial tool for authors to develop characters, convey emotions, and advance the plot. Through dialogue, readers gain insight into the relationships and interactions between characters, as it captures their voices, personalities, and dynamics. This aspect allows for a more engaging and immersive reading experience, as it breaks up narrative exposition and provides varied perspectives directly from the characters.

The other definitions present in the choices do not accurately capture the essence of dialogue. For instance, narrative descriptions of a character's thoughts delve into internal monologue rather than verbal exchanges. Background information that sets the scene focuses on context and setting, which does not involve direct interaction between characters. Lastly, although main conflicts are essential to the story, they relate more to plot elements rather than to the specific interactive element that dialogue represents.