1. Dialogue:
* What they say: The words characters use reveal their thoughts, feelings, values, and perspectives.
* How they speak: The tone, rhythm, and style of their speech can tell us about their education, social standing, and emotional state.
* Their interactions: How characters speak to each other can reveal their relationships, power dynamics, and conflicts.
2. Actions:
* Choices: What characters decide to do, and what they choose not to do, reflects their priorities and motivations.
* Reactions: How characters respond to situations and other characters reveals their inner workings and emotional depth.
* Body language: Nonverbal communication like gestures, facial expressions, and posture can offer clues about their feelings and intentions.
3. Internal Monologue:
* Thoughts and feelings: When characters directly reveal their thoughts and emotions through narration or inner dialogue, it offers a direct window into their minds.
* Dreams and memories: These can reveal subconscious desires, fears, and past experiences that shape their behavior.
* Self-reflection: How characters analyze their own actions and motivations provides valuable insight into their self-awareness and personal growth.
4. Context:
* Setting: The environment and social context of the characters influence their choices and behavior.
* Relationships: Their interactions with other characters, both positive and negative, provide insight into their motivations and goals.
* Historical and cultural background: Understanding the time period and cultural context can help interpret characters' actions and beliefs.
5. Authorial intent:
* Authorial voice: Some authors directly reveal characters' motivations through narration or commentary.
* Symbolism and themes: Authors often use symbols and themes to convey deeper meanings about characters and their motivations.
It's important to remember that a critic should consider all these elements together to create a comprehensive understanding of characters and their motivations.