Identifying Plot and Character Motivation

Read the following excerpt from a fictional narrative:

Jonathan had always dreamed of being a pilot. His childhood was filled with models of airplanes and books about great aviators. Now, at the age of twenty-four, he finally had the chance to fulfill his dream. As he sat in the pilot's seat, the hum of the engine reverberated through him, a thrilling mix of fear and excitement. The instructor gave him a nod, and he pushed the throttle forward, taking to the sky. The landscape below transformed into a patchwork of greens and browns, and for the first time, he felt truly free.