Decisions

Definition

Decisions refer to the choices made by characters that significantly influence the narrative and their development throughout a story. These choices often stem from internal conflicts, moral dilemmas, or external pressures, leading to character growth or regression. The process of making decisions is crucial as it helps shape a character's identity, motivations, and relationships within the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Decisions made by characters can reveal their core values and beliefs, providing insight into their personality and background.
2. The stakes involved in a character's decision can create tension and drama, enhancing audience engagement with the story.
3. Characters often face pivotal moments where their decisions lead to significant turning points in the narrative, affecting their relationships and outcomes.
4. The consequences of a character's decisions can serve as a means of thematic exploration, highlighting larger moral or ethical issues within the story.
5. Revisiting past decisions can be a powerful tool for character development, allowing for reflection and growth as characters confront their choices.

Review Questions

• How do decisions made by characters contribute to their overall development throughout a narrative?
  • Decisions made by characters are central to their development as they reveal underlying motivations and values. These choices often lead to personal growth or conflict, showcasing how characters evolve in response to challenges. By facing the consequences of their decisions, characters may learn lessons that shape their identities and influence future actions, thus providing depth to their arcs.
• Discuss the relationship between conflict and decision-making in character development.
  • Conflict serves as a catalyst for decision-making in character development by presenting challenges that require characters to make choices. The nature of these conflicts—whether internal or external—forces characters to weigh options and confront their beliefs, ultimately shaping who they are. The outcomes of these decisions can lead to further conflict, creating a dynamic interplay that enhances character arcs and engages the audience.
• Evaluate how the consequences of decisions can impact the narrative structure and themes within a story.
  • The consequences of decisions significantly impact both the narrative structure and themes by creating pathways for character arcs and plot progression. Decisions can lead to unforeseen outcomes that alter the direction of the story, revealing thematic elements related to morality, redemption, or personal growth. By analyzing how these consequences unfold, audiences gain deeper insights into the characters' journeys and the underlying messages conveyed through their choices.

Related terms

Character Arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story, often influenced by their decisions.

Conflict: The struggle between opposing forces that drives the narrative and impacts characters' decision-making.

Motivation: The reasons or driving forces behind a character's actions and decisions, which are essential for understanding their behavior.