Conflict

Conflict

Every story needs to have a problem and this problem is called conflict. The main character, also called the protagonist, needs to have someone or something to challenge him. Without conflict, the story will not go anywhere and will not be very interesting to the readers. The main character may be faced with one of the four different types of conflict. These four types of conflict are: 

Internal vs. External ConflictAll conflict falls into two categories:

• Internal

• External

Internal conflict is when a character struggles with their own opposing desires or beliefs. It happens within them, and it drives their development as a character.

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External conflict sets a character against something or someone beyond their control. External forces stand in the way of a character’s motivations and create tension as the character tries to reach their goals.

Man vs. himself

This is an internal conflict, meaning that the opposition the character faces is coming from within. This may entail a struggle to discern what the moral or “right” choice is, or it may also encompass mental health struggles. All other types of conflict are external—meaning that a character comes up against an outside force that creates the conflict.

 

Man Vs. Man

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 as intricate and nuanced as the ongoing struggle for power in the HBO series Game of Thrones.

Man 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. 

Man Vs. Supernatural

Pitting characters against phenomena like ghosts, gods, or monsters raises the stakes of a conflict by creating an unequal playing field. Supernatural conflict also covers characters, like Harry Potter or Odysseus, who have a fate or destiny and struggle to accept the sacrifices that come along with it.

Man vs. Technology

In this case, a character is in conflict with some kind of technology. Think of the tale of John Henry, the African American folk hero. 

Identify the type of conflict in each statement:

Assignment

Choose an interesting photo and create a conflict from it.

Multiple Choice

1. The Terminator, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a cyborg assassin sent from the future to kill a human soldier. The Terminator has been sent by Skynet, an artificial intelligence defense network that has achieved self-awareness. The human soldier must kill the Terminator to prevent a future war between man and machine.

• Man vs Man

• Man vs Nature

• Man vs. Technology

• Man vs. Society

Multiple Choice

2. In Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet, the titular couple is forbidden to marry because they come from two warring families. The thought of their union drives their families to violence. However, their youthful passion brings them together.

• Man vs Society

• Man vs Himself

• Man vs Nature

• Man vs Supernatural

Multiple Choice

Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, the main character, Santiago finally manages to reel in a fish after months and months of bad luck. He fends off sharks, who are trying to steal his prized catch, but eventually they eat the fish—leaving Santiago with only a carcass.

• Man vs Technology

• Man vs Nature

• Man vs. Man

• Man vs Supernatural

Multiple Choice

4. In the Harry Potter series, the supernatural takes the form of wizardry. Harry battles Lord Voldemort with wits and magical powers in a classic good vs. evil story. Harry also battles with his own relationship to magic.

• Man vs Man

• Man vs Himself

• Man vs. Technology

• Man vs. Supernatural

Multiple Choice

5. Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology, son of the river god Cephissus and the nymph Liriope. He was a very beautiful young man, and many fell in love with him. However, he only showed them disdain and contempt. One day, while he was hunting in the woods, the Oread nymph Echo spotted him and immediately fell for him.

• Man vs Man

• Man vs Himself

• Man vs Society

• Man vs Supernatural

Multiple Choice

"You'll never reach your dream" Daphne said to Jeffrey. Back off Daphne! Have a good time in jail.

• Man vs Man

• Man vs Society

• Man vs. Technology

• Man vs. Supernatural