Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Intentions refer to the specific purposes or aims behind a character's actions. They reveal what the character hopes to achieve or accomplish through their behavior.
Related terms
Motivation: The internal drive or reason that compels a character to act; closely related to intentions but focuses on the underlying psychological factors.
Deception: The act of intentionally misleading others with false information or actions; characters may have hidden intentions that they don't want others to discover.
Subtext: The underlying meaning or intention conveyed indirectly through dialogue, actions, or situations; readers must interpret subtext to uncover characters' true motivations and intentions.