Motivation

Definition

Motivation refers to the reasons or driving forces behind a character's actions, desires, and decisions within a narrative. It is essential for developing believable characters and driving the plot forward, as it helps readers understand why characters behave the way they do. The depth of a character's motivation often adds layers to the story, influencing relationships and interactions that shape both primary and secondary narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Understanding a character's motivation is crucial for creating authentic and relatable secondary characters who enrich the main storyline.
2. Motivations can be driven by internal factors, such as personal beliefs and emotions, or external factors, like societal pressures and relationships.
3. In subplots, motivation can create parallel narratives that reflect or contrast with the main plot, providing deeper insights into themes and character dynamics.
4. Complex motivations can make characters more relatable, as they mirror real-life struggles and desires that audiences can empathize with.
5. Unresolved motivations can lead to internal conflicts within characters, which can drive the narrative tension and keep readers engaged.

Review Questions

• How does understanding motivation enhance the development of secondary characters in a story?
  • Understanding motivation enhances secondary character development by allowing writers to create multidimensional figures who resonate with readers. When secondary characters have clear motivations, they become more relatable and contribute meaningfully to the plot. Their motivations can also intertwine with the main character’s journey, creating richer interactions and conflicts that elevate the overall narrative.
• In what ways can conflicting motivations among characters contribute to subplots in a narrative?
  • Conflicting motivations among characters can lead to compelling subplots that provide depth to the main storyline. These conflicts create tension and drama, revealing different perspectives on key issues. By showcasing how various motivations clash or align, writers can explore themes such as loyalty, betrayal, or personal growth, enriching the reader's experience and engagement with the story.
• Evaluate how a character's backstory influences their motivations and shapes their actions throughout a narrative.
  • A character's backstory plays a pivotal role in shaping their motivations by providing context for their desires and decisions. Understanding a character’s past experiences—such as trauma, achievements, or relationships—helps explain why they pursue certain goals or react in specific ways. This evaluation reveals layers of complexity within the character, making their actions more believable and emotionally resonant for the audience.

Related terms

Character Arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story, often driven by their motivations.

Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces, often arising from characters' motivations that lead to tension and drama in a story.

Backstory: The history or background information of a character that helps explain their motivations and choices in the present narrative.