Motivation

Definition

Motivation refers to the driving forces behind a character's actions, decisions, and desires throughout a story. It plays a critical role in shaping narrative arcs and character development, as it explains why characters pursue their goals and how they evolve over time. Additionally, understanding a character's motivation helps to enrich the mythology and backstory, revealing deeper layers of their personality and experiences that influence their current behavior.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Motivation can stem from a variety of sources, including personal desires, external pressures, relationships, and past experiences.
2. Characters with strong motivations tend to be more relatable and engaging, as audiences can connect with their struggles and aspirations.
3. Motivations can change over time, especially in response to events or challenges faced by the character, leading to significant character growth.
4. Understanding a character's motivation is crucial for building tension and conflict in the narrative, as it drives the choices they make.
5. Incorporating well-defined motivations into a character's backstory can add depth to their personality and help explain their present actions.

Review Questions

• How does a character's motivation influence their development throughout the story?
  • A character's motivation significantly influences their development by guiding their choices and actions as they pursue their goals. As characters face obstacles or conflicts related to their motivations, they often undergo growth or change, leading to a dynamic narrative arc. For example, if a character is motivated by revenge, their journey may reflect moral dilemmas that challenge their initial desires and ultimately reshape who they become by the end of the story.
• Discuss how motivation can enhance the understanding of a character's backstory.
  • Motivation enhances the understanding of a character's backstory by providing context for their actions and decisions. When audiences learn about what drives a character—be it fear, ambition, love, or loss—they can better comprehend how past events have shaped their current motivations. This connection not only makes characters more three-dimensional but also adds layers to the overall storytelling by intertwining backstory with present circumstances.
• Evaluate the impact of conflicting motivations among characters on the overall narrative structure.
  • Conflicting motivations among characters can create rich layers of tension and drama within a narrative. When characters want different things or have competing goals, it leads to conflict that propels the story forward. This dynamic can result in complex interactions and pivotal moments that force characters to confront their own motivations and make critical decisions. By evaluating these conflicts, writers can craft compelling arcs that resonate with audiences while highlighting the intricacies of human desires and relationships.

Related terms

Character Arc:

The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a narrative, often driven by their motivations.

Backstory:

The history and background information about a character that informs their motivations and actions in the present.

Conflict:

The struggle between opposing forces in a story, often arising from the differing motivations of characters.