What makes the dialogue of the two characters in the story seem trivial or empty? How does their style of talking echo their lifestyles? What makes...

Yes, I agree with #2 and
#3 - the dialogue is what makes this a difficult story to work out. So much of what is really
going on between Jig and her partner is completely unsaid and it is necessary to infer
everything from their strained and empty dialogue. Jig in particular is desperately trying to
put a "happy face" on to the situation, but becomes overwhelmed easily and ends up
getting more and more depressed until she accepts the inevitable.