Character Motivations in AP English Literature

Definition

Character motivations are the reasons why characters behave and act in certain ways within a story. They drive the actions and decisions made by characters throughout the narrative.

Related terms

Conflict:

Conflict refers to the struggle between opposing forces in a story, which often arises from differing character motivations.

Internal vs External Motivation: Internal motivation comes from within a character's thoughts and desires, while external motivation comes from outside influences such as other characters or circumstances.

Character Development:

Character development refers to how characters change and evolve over the course of a story due to their motivations and experiences.