Conflict in Literature

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: identify Conflict as it appears in literature. distinguish between Internal and External conflict. place conflict in one of three subcategories.

Main Menu Internal Conflict External Conflict Review (complete above sections first)

Internal Conflict Definition: A struggle that takes place in a character's mind is called internal conflict.

Internal Conflict is … NOT a visual or tangible opposition. a character dealing with his or her own mixed feelings or emotions.

Example of Internal Conflict A character may have to decide between right and wrong or between two solutions to a problem.

Internal Conflict Subcategory Man vs. himself Internal conflict is often referred to as man vs. himself since the struggle is inside one’s head.

Man vs. Himself Examples Madame Loisel vs. her worry of losing the necklace Rainsford vs. his fear of being killed Fortunato vs. his drunkeness

Internal Conflict Quiz Question 1: Internal conflict is NOT: a. visible b. difficult c. serious

Internal Conflict Quiz Question 2: An example of Internal Conflict is: a. Rainsford vs. General Zaroff b. Madame Loisel vs. her husband c. Fortunato vs. his drunkeness

Internal Conflict Quiz Question 3: Internal conflict is often referred to as: a. man vs. man b. man vs. himself c. man vs. external forces

External Conflict Definition: A struggle between a character and an outside force is an external conflict.

Example of External Conflict Characters may face several types of outside forces. The outside force may be another character. It may be the character and the community. The outside force may also be forces of nature. For example, a story might be the main character struggling against the arctic cold.

External Conflict Subcategories Man vs. Man Man vs. Environment

Man vs. Man This is mostly seen in the form of two characters against each other. It can also be represented by a group of people. It does not have to be a physical confrontation; it can be a battle between two ideas.

Man vs. Man Examples Rainsford vs. General Zaroff Fortunato vs. Montrosser Frank and Patricia vs. the Nuns

Man vs. Environment Environment is defined as anything surrounding a person. This can include weather, objects, activities. Basically anything external EXCEPT people.

Man vs. Environment Examples Lizzy vs. the Marigolds Crew of the Satori vs. the Storm Frank and Patricia vs. the wall

External Conflict Quiz Question 1: Which is NOT an example of external conflict? a. other characters b. forces of nature c. decisions

External Conflict Quiz Question 2: One subcategory of external conflict is: a. man vs. man b. man vs. himself c. man vs. literature

External Conflict Quiz Question 3: Rainsford being stuck in quicksand is an example of: a. man vs. mud b. man vs. environment c. man vs. supernatural

External Conflict Quiz Question 4: A conflict cannot be categorized as man vs. man when: a. the struggle is with more than 1 character. b. there is a physical confrontation. c. the opposition is not human.

Conflict Quick Review Internal Conflict External Conflict MAN VS. HIMSELF MAN VS. MAN MAN VS. ENVIRONMENT *not tangible *other characters *any outside force *in the mind *not just physical confrontation *anything in surroundings *decisions, feelings, emotions *opposing ideas *weather, objects, activities