1. Conflict in Literature with Examples from Film

2. What is “conflict” in a story?
- The problem that must be solved
- The tension that makes the story interesting
- Moves the plot along
-Often a sense of good vs. evil

3. Freytag’s Triangle (Plot)

4. Why is CONFLICT important?
Without conflict, there is no plot!
The conflict is often introduced in rising action…
Faced head-on during climax…
Begins to work itself out during falling action…
And is resolved during denouement (a.k.a. resolution)…

5. EXTERNAL CONFLICT
An external conflict is between a character and some outside force.
Examples:
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society
What type of
conflict is shown in
the Karate Kid (1984)?

6. MAN vs. MAN A character struggles with another character.
Protagonist vs. Antagonist or Hero vs. Villain or Perpetrator vs. Victim
The classic “good guy” vs. “bad guy” situation

7. MAN vs. NATURE
A character struggles with a force of nature (natural disaster, desolation, animal encounter, etc.)
Usually, the
character is
struggling to
survive.

8. MAN vs. SOCIETY
A character or a group of characters fight against the society in which they live.
The characters often fight against social perceptions, traditions, laws, or penalties.
Struggles could include
the fight for freedom,
against oppression,
against racism, for
progress or change,
etc.

9. INTERNAL CONFLICT
An internal conflict concerns an inside source. The character is struggling with his or her own mind, emotions,
and conscience. This
struggle often concerns a
difficult choice that the
character must make.
Examples:
Man vs. Self

10. MAN vs. SELF
The character can be struggling with overcoming his/her own mixed feelings and emotions like pride, anger, patience, etc.
Morals and values can also play a role in the conflict. The character may need to do with a choice between
right and wrong.
The character can
also be suffering from
insanity or another
illness of the mind.

11. OTHER TYPES OF CONFLICT
Man vs. Supernatural
Gods, ghosts, monsters, spirits, aliens, etc.
Man vs. Fate
Fight for choice; fight against destiny
Man vs. Technology
Computers, machines, etc.