Q&A: In order for a story to be most effective, when should the protagonist discover his subconscious desire?

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In order for a story to be most effective, when should the protagonist discover his subconscious desire?

Dec 04, 2012

I have in mind a character whose conscious desire is to expose fraud and corruption in his profession. In pursuit of this goal he systematically destroys his own career by invoking the wrath and retaliation of his colleagues. The audience comes to realize that his subconscious desire is actually to destroy his public persona (his sole source of identity) in order to find a more authentic sense of self. My question is: In order for the story to be most effective, when should this protagonist discover his subconscious desire? At the very end? Or never? How does he discover it? Does he have an epiphany or does some other character enlighten him? Also, has this story been told before? If so, do you have any examples from film or literature?

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In order for a story to be most effective, when should the protagonist discover his subconscious desire?

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