What is the term used to describe the reason behind a character's actions in a story?

The term that refers to the reason behind a character's actions in a story is known as character motivation. This concept encompasses the desires, goals, and drives that compel a character to act in certain ways throughout the narrative. Understanding a character's motivation helps readers grasp the underlying reasons for their decisions and behaviors, which can deepen the emotional impact of the story and enhance character development. For example, if a character is driven by a desire for revenge, their motivations will shape their actions and influence the plot's progression.

Character analysis, on the other hand, involves examining a character's traits, relationships, and transformations within the story, while character development refers to the evolution of characters over time. Character conflict typically addresses the struggles that characters face, whether internal or external, but does not specifically address why the character behaves in a certain way. Thus, character motivation is the most accurate term for describing the rationale behind a character’s actions.