Conflict
In literature or storytelling, conflict
is the struggle between opposing
forces.
Conflict drives plot. Without it,
you have no story.
Internal vs. External Conflict
All conflict falls into two categories: internal and external
Internal conflict is when a character struggles with their own
opposing desires or beliefs.
External conflict sets a character against something or someone
beyond their control.
The Six Types of Conflict
1.
2.
Character Vs. Self
3.
Character Vs. Character
5.
4.
Character Vs. Society
Character Vs. Nature
6.
Character Vs. Supernatural
Character Vs. Technology
Character VS. Self
This is an internal conflict, meaning that the opposition the
character faces is coming from within.
This may mean a struggle to figure out what the moral or
“right” choice is, or it may also encompass mental health
struggles.
Example: To be or not to be? Hamlet can’t decide what to do about his many problems.
Character VS. Character
This is a common type of conflict in which one character’s
needs or wants are at odds with another’s.
A character conflict can be depicted as a straightforward fist
fight, or more complex like a struggle for power.
Example: Daenerys and Cersei fight for 7 seasons over who will rule Westeros in Game of Thrones
Character VS. Nature
In a nature conflict, a character is set in opposition to
nature. This can mean the weather, the wilderness,
or a natural disaster.
Example: Tom Hanks has to survive for years on a deserted island with a volleyball in Cast Away
Character VS. Society
This type of conflict occurs when the protagonist is
placed in opposition with society, the government,
or a cultural tradition or societal norm of some kind.
Example: In The Hunger Games, Katniss has to fight her way out of a government-sponsored
murder gameshow that features exclusively children.
Character VS. Supernatural
Pitting characters against supernatural beings like ghosts, gods,
or monsters raises the stakes of a conflict by creating an
unequal playing field and may include ideas like fate or destiny.
Example: Harry battles Lord Voldemort with wits and magical powers
Character VS. Technology
In this case, a character is in conflict with some kind of
technology. With this type of conflict, we learn what it
means to be human, and what sets us apart from machines.
Example: In The Terminator, a human soldier must kill the Terminator to prevent a future war
between man and machine.
Let’s Practice!
Try and identify the kind of
conflict being illustrated in
the following slides.
Character Vs. ________
Character Vs. ________
Character Vs. ________
Character Vs. ________
Character Vs. ________
Character Vs. ________