Which term explains something as caused by?

The term that explains something as caused by is "attribute." In literary analysis and critical reading, to attribute means to assign a particular quality or cause to a specific source or factor. When we attribute an outcome or characteristic to something, we are identifying it as the reason behind that outcome or characteristic.

For example, when a character's actions in a story are attributed to their upbringing, it suggests that their background is a significant factor in explaining their behavior. This term is especially useful in discussions of themes and character motivations, as it allows readers to discern the connections between causes and effects in a narrative.

The other options, while related to actions or descriptions, do not specifically convey the idea of causation that "attribute" does. "Indicate" suggests pointing out or showing something, "generate" refers to producing or creating, and "portray" means to depict or represent in a particular way. None of these terms directly encapsulates the concept of causation like "attribute" does.