Motivations are the underlying reasons that drive a character's thoughts, feelings, decisions, and actions within a literary work. They provide insight into what characters want to achieve or avoid.
Related terms
Desires: Strong wants or longings that drive characters' actions and decisions.
External Influences: Factors outside of the character that impact their motivations such as society norms or other characters' expectations.
Psychological Motivation: Inner drives rooted in emotions or psychology that guide characters' behavior and decision-making processes.