Which element in this passage tells the reader who the characters are? the dialogue the speaker tags the stage directions the characters’ actions

To become the mesmerizer’s subject, twain must displace hicks. twain presents himself as very different from hicks. based on this contrast, what does twain seem to value and admire in a person ?

Does anyone know the answers to these two? i don’t want to have to guess, you!

Chapters 3–5 while reading, think about… author’s purpose/point of view symbolism communication between characters —ethan frome