CONFLICT
Conflict: A struggle between opposing characters or opposing forces.
There are two types of conflict:
 Internal conflict
 External conflict
Internal conflict: A conflict that takes place in a character’s mind that is
NOT in a visual or tangible opposition.
Examples:
 A character struggles with shyness.
 A character struggles to accept someone’s death.
 A character who struggles to choose between right and wrong.
External conflict: A struggle between a character and an outside force.
 Characters may face several types of outside forces.
Examples:
 Man vs. Man
 Man vs. Society
 Man vs. Nature
1. Man vs. Man
 a struggle between two characters
2. Man vs. Himself
 a struggle within a character
3. Man vs. Nature
 a characters struggle with nature
4. Man vs. Society
 a characters struggle with society
Why is conflict important?
 Conflict is necessary to every story. In short stories, there is usually
one major conflict. In longer stories, there could be several conflicts.
 Conflict adds excitement and suspense to a story. The conflict usually
becomes clear to the beginning of a story. As the plot unfolds, the
reader starts to wonder what will happen next and how the characters
will handle the situation. Many readers enjoy trying to predict the
final outcome.
 The excitement usually builds to a high point, or climax. The climax is
the turning point of the story. Something has happened to resolve the
conflict.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
What type of conflict is the rivalry between Spiderman and the Green
Goblin?
A. External-Man vs. Man
B. Internal-Man vs. Himself
C. External-Man vs. Society
D. External-Man vs. Nature
What type of conflict is the boat sinking in Titanic?
A. External-Man vs. Man
B. Internal-Man vs. Himself
C. External-Man vs. Society
D. External-Man vs. Nature
What type of conflict does Hannah Montana face each day she “pretends” to
be Miley Cyrus?
A. External-Man vs. Man
B. Internal-Man vs. Himself
C. External-Man vs. Society
D. External-Man vs. Nature
In “Remember the Titans” what type of conflict occurs when the African
American students are not welcomed into the all-white school?
A. External-Man vs. Man
B. Internal-Man vs. Himself
C. External-Man vs. Society
D. External-Man vs. Nature