Creating Conflict
Conflict Conflict: a struggle between opposing characters, forces, or emotions, usually between the protagonist and someone/something else Purpose: This narrative element holds the reader’s interest in a story. It can also help reinforce other narrative elements like theme, character, etc.
Types of Conflict Person versus Person Person versus Self Person versus Society Person versus Nature Person versus the Supernatural Person versus Technology/Machine
Person vs. Person This type of conflict develops between two (or more) characters in a story The conflict can be physical, emotional, etc. Example: Batman vs. the Joker, Sherlock Holmes vs. Professor Moriarty
Person vs. Self This is an internal conflict that exists within the protagonist (or other character) It can be the result of emotional, spiritual, etc. distress It can result in creating an emotionally impotent character, or one who acts irrationally against others to compensate for a disordered mind Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l RPu8jL8TKA
Person vs. Society This is an external conflict that develops between the protagonist and a representation of society In this case, the protagonist can battle society as a whole (i.e. contemporary, Elizabethan, etc.) , or an element that is meant to represent society (i.e. a hospital, School, etc.) Example: John Q., Robin Hood
Person vs. Nature This is an external conflict the develops between the protagonist (or other character) and nature Similar to Person versus Society, this conflict can be fought against nature as a whole (i.e. the Earth), or a natural element that can represent the whole (i.e. a tornado) Example: Twister, The Day After Tomorrow, A Perfect Storm
Person vs.Supernatural This is generally an external conflict that develops between the protagonist and a supernatural element or entity It can be used to comment on social ills or underscore the potential for good/evil in the individual Example: X-Men, X-Men: Magneto, Harry Potter, Twilight
Person Versus Technology This Happens when man is skeptic about the wonders of technology. In many stories, the antagonists use technology to gain power or technology takes over and becomes a negative influence on society Examples: Brave New World, Ironman, The Matrix