The characters' backgrounds play a significant role in shaping their motivations and goals. By understanding a character's background, such as their upbringing, experiences, cultural influences, and personal history, we can gain insight into why they think and act the way they do. For example, a character who grew up in poverty may have a strong motivation to achieve financial success, while a character who experienced a traumatic event in their past may be driven by a desire for redemption or justice. Overall, the characters' backgrounds provide context for their actions and help us better understand their motivations and goals throughout the story.