Which element of a story typically provides insight into the characters’ emotions?

The element that provides insight into the characters' emotions is dialogue. Through dialogue, characters express their thoughts, feelings, and reactions to events and other characters. The words they choose, the way they speak, and the interactions they have with others reveal deep emotional currents and motivations. For example, a character's tone, choice of words, and the nature of their conversations can indicate whether they are happy, sad, angry, or conflicted.

Conversely, while other elements like setting, conflict, and pacing contribute to the overall story and can influence how emotions are perceived, they do not directly provide the internal emotional insights that dialogue does. The setting sets the stage for the story and can create an atmosphere that influences mood, but it does not convey specific character emotions. Conflict drives the story’s action and can create tension that affects characters’ emotions, but it does not explicitly communicate what those emotions are. Pacing refers to the speed at which the story unfolds, impacting the reader’s experience but not directly expressing a character's internal feelings.