In Joyce Carol Oates' work "I Am No One You Know," the character grapples with the relationship between human motives and actions. She has typically held a rational perspective, believing that intentions drive behaviors. However, she finds herself questioning this belief in certain situations, wondering if actions can occur independently of motives, making them irrelevant at times.

This internal conflict reflects her struggle to reconcile her understanding of human psychology with the unpredictable nature of actions. She is left contemplating whether this moment is one of those instances where motives lose their significance to the actions taken, highlighting a complex interplay between thought and behavior in human experience.