What is meant by "dialogue" in literature?

In literature, "dialogue" specifically refers to the conversations that occur between characters. This element is crucial as it helps to reveal character relationships, advance the plot, and convey themes and emotions. Through dialogue, readers gain insight into personalities and motivations, making characters more relatable and dynamic. Additionally, effective dialogue can create tension, humor, or conflict, enriching the narrative and drawing readers deeper into the story. The other options focus on aspects like character backgrounds, narrator’s internal thoughts, or descriptions of the setting, which do not accurately capture the essence of dialogue in literary contexts.