L3 Reading Material
The Heart of a Story: The Driving Force
Think about your favorite movie character. What makes them so compelling? Is it their personality, their struggles, or the way they change throughout the story? Great characters don’t just exist in a story—they drive it forward. Their desires, flaws, and decisions are what shapes the plot, making the audience care about what happens next.
What is a Character’s Driving Force?
A character’s driving force is what pushes them to act—it’s the goal they are striving toward, whether it’s love, survival, revenge, or self-acceptance. This force keeps the story moving and gives the audience a reason to stay invested.
A well-developed character doesn’t stay the same from beginning to end. They learn, grow, and sometimes even fail. This journey is called a character arc.
Every great film is driven by characters with clear motivations. Their goals create tension, their flaws make them relatable, and their growth makes their journey satisfying. Next time you watch a movie, ask yourself: What is the main character fighting for? How do they change by the end? These are the questions every screenwriter must answer to create unforgettable stories.
Example: Simba in The Lion King
Simba’s journey in The Lion King is an example of how a character’s driving force shapes not only their personal growth but also the entire story’s arc. The Lion King is about identity, responsibility, and overcoming fear, all of which is tied directly to Simba’s driving force.
From the very beginning, Simba is motivated by a deep desire to prove himself as a worthy king. As a young cub, this driving force makes him reckless, arrogant, and eager to show off. He believes that being king means doing whatever he wants, without understanding the true responsibility behind it.
- This leads him to dangerous situations, like venturing into the elephant graveyard to impress Nala and defy his father.
- His pride makes him vulnerable to Scar’s manipulation, as Scar plays on Simba’s need to prove himself by leading him into the gorge.
However, once Mufasa dies, Simba shifts from confidence to guilt. He does not believe that he is a worthy king and his guilt becomes so overwhelming that it forces him into exile.
This is what makes Simba’s character compelling: his internal struggle is just as important as the external conflict with Scar. His real battle is not about fighting Scar—it’s about overcoming his own fears and accepting responsibility. His journey is about rediscovering his true identity and embracing his responsibility as king.
Simba’s arc is powerful because it mirrors real-life struggles: the journey from youthful arrogance to deep self-doubt to ultimate self-acceptance. His driving force isn’t just a plot device—it’s the emotional core of the story.
The Lion King teaches us that true leadership isn’t about power, it’s about responsibility, courage, and embracing who we truly are. And that’s what makes Simba’s journey so unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
Take a moment to reflect on the term "driving force". Now that you know what it is, you should be able to identify it as you watch movies, TV shows, or consume any type of narrative story. Who is the protagonist of the story and what drives them?
After completing this reading, please go to the L3 Discussion Board.