Final answer:
Duke's use of dialect and response to conflict establish him as an unpretentious, forthright character who is assertive and ready to take charge in a corporate environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this passage, Duke's use of dialect and approach to conflict significantly contributes to his characterization. His relaxed posture, vernacular speech, and colloquialisms like "pardner" and "ya'll" juxtapose sharply with the formal corporate setting and the suit-clad businesspeople surrounding him. This contrast portrays Duke as an outsider who is unpretentious and forthright, underscored by his response to conflict. When faced with open disrespect from the CEO, Duke remains undeterred, handling the situation with a nonchalant dismissal, telling Jacobs to "Git." The metaphor of "putting you out to pasture" further bolsters Duke's image as a straight-talking individual who invokes imagery of the Wild West. The use of the word "showdown" and declaring himself the "new sheriff in town" not only reaffirms his direct approach but also his readiness to take charge. Overall, Duke's dialect and decisive actions in the face of conflict reveal his character as unconventional, assertive, and confident in his role within the company.