Types of Conflict In Literature

Types of Conflict In Literature

​Objectives:

• Define 'conflict' and explain how it relates to literature

• ​State the two major categories of conflict and their types

• ​Isolate examples of conflict from the novel, The Skin I'm In

Open Ended

How would you define 'conflict'?

​CONFLICT IN GENERAL:

• ​a problem or issue

​CONFLICT IN LITERATURE:

• ​a force or issue that characters face throughout the story

• ​acts as the driving force for the plot and builds tension to keep the story moving along

​THE MAJOR CATEGORIES OF CONFLICT

​What are they? What are their different types?

​TWO MAJOR CATEGORIES

TYPES OF EXTERNAL CONFLICT:

• ​occurs between a character and an outside force

  Character vs Character

  • ​a character conflicts with another character or a small group

• ​Character vs Nature

  • ​a character conflicts with something in nature (weather, animal, machine, disease, the supernatural, etc.)

• ​Character vs Society

  • ​a character conflicts with a larger group of people (mob) or against systems (religion, politics, beliefs, laws)

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of an "external" conflict?

• An issue between a character and an outside force.
• A problem within the story.
• A struggle that a character has within him/her self.
• A problem caused by the protagonist.

Multiple Choice

In "Twilight," Edward & Jacob battle for Bella's affection.

• individual vs. individual
• individual vs. nature
• individual vs. society
• individual vs. self

Multiple Choice

Elsa has to be hidden away from the outside world because of her secret magical powers.

• individual vs. individual
• individual vs. nature
• individual vs. society
• individual vs. self

Multiple Choice

A plane crashed on an island in the middle of the ocean.  Chuck had to survive ... all on his own!

• individual vs. self
• individual vs. technology
• individual vs. nature
• individual vs. society

​TYPES OF INTERNAL CONFLICT

• ​conflict occurs within the character's mind

• ​Character vs Self

  • ​a character struggles with a decision, self-doubt, or they have a sense of uncertainty about a situation

  • ​is only resolved when a character makes a choice

Multiple Choice

Spot the internal conflict

• I got pushed and was wet

• I felt distrustful of my friend because I got pushed

Multiple Choice

Spot the internal conflict

• I feel sad about not spending enough time with my family

• I don't spend enough time with my family

INTERNAL VS EXTERNAL​

​Can you spot which is which?

Multiple Choice

Kelly knows that she saw her friend, Kimmy, steal a pair of earrings, and that she should tell someone. However, Kelly is her friend, and she doesn’t want her to get into trouble.

• internal conflict

• external conflict

Multiple Choice

Two candidates are running for Prime Minister. Only one can win.

• internal conflict

• external conflict

Multiple Choice

Sunder and her family must seek shelter before the approaching storm hits.

• internal conflict

• external conflict

Multiple Choice

A student organizes a demonstration to protest a new rule that says they cannot bring their cellphones to school, anymore.

• internal conflict

• external conflict

​Conflict in The Skin I'm In

• ​Can you think of any moments from the novel, The Skin I'm In, that are representative of the types of conflict?

  • ​Character vs Character

  • ​Character vs Nature

  • ​Character vs Society

  • ​Character vs Self

Open Ended

Can you think of any moments from The Skin I'm In that represent any of the types of conflict? What type of conflict do you think it is?