1. A non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium containing a program of instructions that cause a computer system running the program of instructions to: receive a text specifying words to be spoken by a virtual character; extract metaphoric elements, discourse elements, or both from the text; generate one or more mental state indicators based on the metaphoric elements, the discourse elements, or both; map each of the one or more mental state indicators to a behavior that the virtual character should display with nonverbal movements that convey the mental state indicators; and generate a set of instructions for the nonverbal movements based on the behaviors, wherein the program of instructions also causes the computer system running the program of instructions to do one of a, b, or c: a. extract reference elements, valence elements, or both from the text; and wherein generate the one or more mental state indicators is further based on the reference elements, valence elements, or both, b. receive an audio file corresponding to the text; extract emphasis moments, agitation moments, speech disfluency, or a combination thereof from the audio file; and generate the one or more mental state indicators further based on the emphasis moments, the agitation moments, the speech disfluency, or the combination thereof, or c. generate a set of instructions for a listener's nonverbal movements in response to the set of instructions for nonverbal movements of the virtual character.