Variation dyn.pr. Sense of Self ↔ State of Being

one's true nature

State of Being describes the actual nature of a character. The character himself is often not aware of the true nature of his being. In fact, there may be no one at all who fully understands all that he is. However, in the communication between Author and Audience, the essence of a character must be fully explained or the story's message will be obscured.

syn. essence, one's true self, true self, essential nature, core being