Traditional Biographies:
* Usually don't include dialogue. They focus on factual accounts of the subject's life, relying on primary and secondary sources like letters, diaries, and interviews.
* May include excerpts from letters or speeches. This provides a sense of the subject's voice, but it's not actual dialogue between characters.
Literary Biographies:
* May include fictionalized dialogue. These biographies aim for a more engaging narrative, sometimes reconstructing conversations based on available information or speculation.
* Dialogue is often used to bring historical figures to life. It can help readers understand the subject's personality, motivations, and relationships.
* It's important to note that this dialogue is not necessarily accurate. It's the author's interpretation, and it should be treated with caution.
Examples:
* Traditional Biography: "The Life of Abraham Lincoln" by Carl Sandburg. It includes excerpts from Lincoln's speeches, but no fictionalized dialogue.
* Literary Biography: "The Last Mrs. Parrish" by Liv Constantine. This is a fictionalized account of a real-life socialite, including made-up dialogue to enhance the story.
In conclusion, whether a biography has dialogue depends on the author's approach and the genre. Traditional biographies are more factual and less likely to include dialogue, while literary biographies may use fictionalized dialogue to enhance the narrative.