Conflict in Literature Understanding the Different Types of Conflict

What is Conflict?  Conflict is the struggle between opposing forces.  In literature (and other media such as film) the action in a work depends upon the conflict.

Two Main Types of Conflict  Internal Conflict : struggle that takes place within a character’s mind  External Conflict : struggle that takes place between the character and outside (external) forces.

Internal Conflict  aka Person(Man) vs. Self : Struggle taking place within a character’s mind Example : I found twenty dollars laying in the hallway. Do I keep it? Do I turn it in? What do I do?

Types of External Conflict  Person vs. Person  Person vs. Nature  Person vs. Society

Person vs. Person  Struggle between two people or characters Example : Devin and his psychology teacher got into an argument about his final grade.

Person vs. Nature  Struggle between a character and a force of nature Example : The roads were so icy and slick that Sharon couldn’t get to class on time.

Person vs. Society  Struggle between one character and society.  Usually occurs when a person stands against what the majority believes or values. Example: Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus.

Which Type of Conflict? After once again saving Gotham City, Batman is enjoying some peace and quiet in his bat cave. He hears a shuffle, turns, and sees that the tricky joker has infiltrated his lair. Unarmed, Batman must take on the joker in hand to hand combat. Person vs. Society Person vs. Person Person vs. Self Person vs. Nature

Which Type of Conflict? A football player is accused of creating an elaborate hoax in order to increase his chances of being awarded the Heisman trophy. Before even hearing all of the facts, America is enraged. The player is now forced to explain the entire situation to all of America in an attempt to clear his name.

Which Type of Conflict? Pecos Bill was well-known for his ability to wrangle tornadoes and ride them across the sky. Mrs. Bill decided it was time to retire and move to Florida. Pecos Bill tried time after time to master the art of hurricane surfing. Finally he came in sopping wet and covered in sand and proclaimed, “That’s it! I’m moving back to Texas!”

Which Type of Conflict? Twilight star Kristen Stewart has been having trouble sleeping for weeks. “Maybe acting just isn’t my thing…” she’s been thinking lately. “But I’m SO good at it!” the other voice in her head always argues. Kristen just has no idea what to do.