Final answer:
The characters in "The Refusal" use language and communication to drive the events in the story, but there are instances where they fail to effectively communicate, leading to tension and conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characters in "The Refusal" use language to communicate with each other, but there are instances where they avoid using language or fail to effectively communicate.
The author's use of language and communication greatly affects the events in the story.
For example, the minimalist and dialogue-led language creates a sense of uncertainty and lack of understanding between characters, contributing to the overall tension and conflict. This is evident in the narrator's prayer for a sign and the unsaid things between the characters.