Goal

Definition

In storytelling, a goal is the desired outcome that drives a character's actions and decisions throughout the narrative. It is a central element that shapes the character's journey, motivating their behavior and influencing the plot. Goals can be internal, reflecting personal growth or emotional resolution, or external, focusing on tangible achievements, and are essential in building conflict and tension within character-driven stories.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Goals help to establish a clear direction for characters, guiding their actions and decisions in pursuit of what they want.
2. A character's goal often creates conflict, as they encounter obstacles and challenges that must be overcome.
3. Goals can evolve over the course of a narrative, reflecting changes in a character's motivations or circumstances.
4. The pursuit of a goal can lead to significant character development, as characters learn from failures and successes along the way.
5. Understanding a character's goal is crucial for analyzing their journey and the themes that emerge in character-driven narratives.

Review Questions

• How does a character's goal shape their actions and decisions throughout a narrative?
  • A character's goal serves as the driving force behind their actions and decisions, influencing every choice they make in the story. This pursuit gives the character direction and purpose, propelling them forward as they face challenges and obstacles. As they work towards their goal, audiences witness how the character navigates conflict, which ultimately reveals their true nature and motivations.
• What role does conflict play in the context of a character's pursuit of their goals?
  • Conflict is integral to a character's pursuit of their goals as it introduces obstacles that challenge them. This struggle not only heightens tension but also provides opportunities for growth and change. As characters confront conflicts arising from their goals, they often discover more about themselves and may even reevaluate what they truly desire.
• Evaluate how understanding a character's goal contributes to analyzing their character arc within a narrative.
  • Understanding a character's goal is essential for evaluating their character arc because it highlights the transformation they undergo throughout the story. As characters pursue their goals, they encounter various experiences that shape their identities and perspectives. By analyzing how their goals evolve or are challenged, we can gain insight into their growth or decline, revealing deeper themes related to human experience within the narrative.

Related terms

Motivation: The underlying reason or desire that prompts a character to pursue their goal, influencing their choices and actions.

Conflict: The struggle between opposing forces in a story, often arising from a character's pursuit of their goal, creating tension and driving the narrative forward.

Character Arc: The transformation or development a character undergoes throughout a story, often closely tied to the pursuit of their goals.