Final answer:
The dialogue in this passage serves multiple purposes, including advancing the plot, establishing authenticity, and revealing character traits and relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dialogue in this passage serves multiple purposes. First, it helps advance the plot and define the conflict by showing the change in the narrator's emotions and the impact of the captain's questioning. Second, dialogue adds authenticity and allows readers to directly witness the scene and the characters. Lastly, it helps establish the traits and relationships of the characters, providing insight into their dynamics and emotional states.