Goals

Definition

In the context of character development, goals are the aspirations or objectives that drive a character's actions and decisions throughout a narrative. These goals often reveal the character's motivations, desires, and conflicts, shaping their journey and growth. Understanding a character's goals is crucial for analyzing their development and the overall plot, as they often serve as the catalyst for change and progression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A character's goals can be short-term or long-term, affecting how they approach challenges and interact with other characters.
2. Goals can evolve over time as characters encounter obstacles or gain new insights, leading to significant changes in their behavior and priorities.
3. Understanding a character's goals can provide insight into their personality, helping audiences connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs.
4. Characters often face external obstacles that challenge their goals, contributing to conflict and tension in the narrative.
5. Achieving or failing to achieve their goals can lead to important moments of growth or realization for characters, ultimately shaping their overall development.

Review Questions

• How do a character's goals influence their relationships with others in the narrative?
  • A character's goals significantly shape their interactions with others by determining how they prioritize relationships and navigate conflicts. For example, if a character is focused on achieving a personal ambition, they may clash with those who have different objectives or need support. This dynamic can lead to deeper emotional connections or intense rivalries, ultimately enhancing character development as they learn from these relationships.
• Discuss how the evolution of a character's goals contributes to their overall arc in the story.
  • The evolution of a character's goals is crucial in defining their arc as it reflects their growth or decline throughout the narrative. As characters confront various challenges and conflicts, their initial goals may shift based on new experiences or realizations. This transformation not only adds depth to the character but also engages the audience, as they witness how each decision influences the trajectory of the plot and the character's personal journey.
• Evaluate the relationship between conflict and a character’s goals in shaping their development within the story.
  • Conflict serves as a critical mechanism for highlighting a character's goals and driving their development within the story. When characters face external challenges or internal dilemmas related to their objectives, it tests their resolve and forces them to confront fears or flaws. This struggle often leads to significant changes in perspective or behavior, ultimately shaping who they become by the end of the narrative. The interplay between conflict and goals creates compelling dynamics that enrich character arcs and engage viewers.

Related terms

motivation:

The internal or external factors that stimulate a character to pursue their goals, influencing their behavior and decision-making.

conflict: The struggle between opposing forces that creates tension and drives the narrative, often arising from a character's pursuit of their goals.

arc: The transformation or growth a character undergoes throughout a story, typically driven by their goals and the challenges they face.