Final answer:
To understand a character's actions, observation of dialogue is crucial as it reveals individual characteristics, relationships between characters, and the context of their environment. Dialogue can show educational backgrounds, social status, emotions, and intentions, providing depth to the narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
To figure out why a character does something, you also need to pay close attention to what the narrator says.
Dialogue is an essential aspect that reveals the nature and motivations of characters. It can tell us a lot about individuality and relationships. For example, a character's education can influence their manner of speaking, which in turn informs us about their background. Moreover, the vocation, economic status, and goals of a character can be discerned through their spoken words. A character's unique rhythms and phrases contribute to defining their personality and perspective within the story.
Dialogue also indicates the nature of relationships between characters. For instance, the way characters interact with each other can show if they have a formal or informal relationship, or if there is a power dynamic at play. Similarly, dialogue can set the scene by revealing the location and influencing how the characters behave in that environment, such as being more reserved in a public space compared to a private setting.
Lastly, good dialogue often demonstrates attributes of a character or the dynamics between multiple characters. It is through dialogue that we can infer if characters are engaged in conflict, undergoing personal crises, or have certain emotional or professional characteristics. Keep in mind that these insights come both from what is said and how it's conveyed.