Character Motives

Definition

Character motives are the underlying reasons or desires that drive a character's actions and decisions throughout a literary work. They provide insight into why characters behave the way they do.

Related terms

Foil Characters: Foil characters are contrasting characters who highlight specific traits or qualities of another character through their differences.

Internal Conflict:

Internal conflict refers to the psychological struggle within a character's mind, often involving conflicting desires or emotions.

External Conflict:

External conflict occurs when a character faces opposition from an outside force, such as another character, society, or nature.