Motivation is defined as the reason or multiple reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. We, as people, are all motivated by something. A clear example of motivation is shown in the fictional novel, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, by Carson McCullers. A specific character in this novel who represents motivation throughout the story is Mick Kelly. .
Mick Kelly is a teen living in the 1930's who comes from a poor family. She carries around a lot of responsibility for someone her age; such as worrying about her family's financial issues, getting her own job, focusing on school, and taking care of her younger siblings. With all of this going on her life, she finds things to motivate her to keep going and not give up.
She has a very strong passion for music. In fact, music is one of the many things that keep her motivated. Music is always on her mind and she goes out of her way to enjoy music. For example, she would often go out in the night just to go to a neighbor's house so that she can listen to the music that she knew they'd be playing. She would then spend all of the night just sitting in her neighbor's yard listening to this music. Another example that shows Mick's motivation towards music would be the fact that she gave up her lunch money for a while during school so that a friend of hers would teach her to play the piano. She wanted a piano of her own, but, due to her family's financial situation, she could not afford one at the time. Music was always on her mind and there was always a melody or tune playing in her head. She also began to write her own music for some time. She wanted to become a successful musician like the ones that she personally loved to listen to, one being Mozart. .
Another major thing that motivated Mick Kelly and is clearly shown throughout the book would be her infamous "inside room". This metaphoric room in her mind is where she kept her private thoughts and passions.
