1. Conflict
Literary Elements

2. Definition: Conflict is the struggle that a character or characters in a story must overcome. It produces tension and drives the action of the plot.
Conflict can take place within a character, an internal problem. or
Conflict can take place between two or more opposing forces.

3. Conflict can
be either …
External
Conflict
Internal
Conflict

4. Internal Conflict 1 Type Man vs. Self: a character struggles with
his or her own personal
fears, personality
flaws, etc.

5. Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society Man vs. Fate
External Conflict
4 Types
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society
Man vs. Fate

6. Man vs. Man External Conflict A character struggles with one or more
other characters.
How is this an example of man vs. man?

7. External Conflict Man vs. Nature
A character struggles with some force of nature.
How do the visuals demonstrate man vs. nature?

8. External Conflict Society Man vs.
A character struggles with the law or some other aspect of society and its expectations.
How do the visuals demonstrate man vs. society

9. Man vs. Fate External Conflict A character struggles
against destiny or circumstances that he/she can not control.

10. 6 Resolutions for Conflict
Everybody wins
Fight – someone wins, someone loses
Flight – character is able to avoid or run away from the problem
Death
Compromise
Acceptance
Consider how a conflict is resolved when reading.

11. Discovering Theme

12. 2. Something the story teaches the reader.
What is THEME?
1. The author’s message to the reader that is a repeated idea in the literary work (or works).
2. Something the story teaches the reader.
3. An idea or lesson that is not stated directly in the story. (It must be figured out.)

13. 5. Theme typically deals with life, society, or human nature.
What is THEME?
4. There is usually more than one theme in a short story or novel.
5. Theme typically deals with life, society, or human nature.
6. A theme cannot be expressed in a couple of words like “the pursuit of happiness” or “heartache.”

14. Questions to help determine THEME
How has the main character changed?
What lessons has he or she learned?
How has the central conflict in the story or novel been solved?

15. Some common themes from literature include:
Some common themes from literature include: *We don’t control all aspects of our lives. *Love endures despite repeated disappointments. *We must make the most of each moment. *Some parents try to accomplish unfulfilled dreams through their children.

16. What are some possible themes from the following fairy tales?
Cinderella
The Three Little Pigs

17. Possible Themes from Cinderella:
*Dreams can and often do come true.
*Evil is often punished and goodness is often rewarded
*True love endures all obstacles

18. Possible Themes from The Three Little Pigs:
~Do things right the first time, even if it costs you more time, money, and energy.
~You can depend on family in your time of need.
~You must leave home in order to grow up.