What is an 'objective' in the context of character analysis?

In the context of character analysis, an 'objective' refers to the primary goal or desire that drives a character's actions throughout a story. This goal is crucial for understanding a character's motivations, decisions, and the conflicts they experience as they strive to achieve it.

A character's objective shapes their behavior and influences their interactions with other characters, as well as the overall narrative arc. For example, a character might aim to win a love interest's affection, seek revenge, or achieve personal growth. Identifying a character's objective allows actors and directors to portray the character more authentically and creates a clearer emotional throughline in the performance.

Other aspects, such as emotional state, background, and plot conclusions may provide important context for a character but do not specifically define their objective. The emotional state might influence how a character pursues their objective, and background can help explain why a character has certain goals, but neither directly encapsulates what the character is trying to achieve in the narrative.