Final answer:
To understand the reason why a character commits a crime in literature, one must study their motives and characterization which are shaped by various factors such as background, personality, and societal influences. These elements are woven into the plot and character development, providing insights into the character's behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
If as a reader you are seeking the reason why the main character commits a crime, you would study his motives and characterization. Understanding a character's motives involves looking at the various factors that drive them to make certain decisions. This can include their background, personality traits, emotions, and external pressures or societal influences. In literature, motives are often intricately woven into the fabric of the plot and the character's development throughout the story. For instance, in the novel McTeague by Frank Norris, examining the protagonist's environmental influences and natural drives is crucial to understanding his descent into criminality.
Characterization is another key element when exploring why a character commits a crime. This refers to the array of qualities and attributes that authors assign to their characters to make them feel real and relatable. By understanding these qualities in the context of the story, readers can gain insights into why a character might act out in certain ways. For example, studying a character like Victor Frankenstein, as mentioned in literary discussions, allows us to understand how his compulsive ambition might lead him to make morally questionable choices.
Moreover, the genre of a story, such as a crime story, often sets up expectations for the readers regarding motives and actions of characters within a fairly predictable framework. Identifying the plot and the big picture is crucial. The plot provides context for character actions and is foundational for any analysis. Through reflection and careful analysis of these elements, readers can understand the underlying reasons behind a character's criminal behavior, which may relate to broader sociological theories of deviance and crime. Motives are seen as a product of past experiences, suggesting that characters are influenced by their histories to act in certain ways, challenging the notion of free will.