1. 6 Basic Character Conflicts
Character vs. Self
Character vs. Character
Character vs. Nature
Character vs. Fate/Luck
Character vs. Society
Character vs. Technology

2. Character vs. Self
This is internal conflict The character may need to convince him/herself that he/she can achieve a dream, or maybe the character just needs to build self-confidence.

3. Character vs. Self
EXAMPLE: Aladdin is very poor and wishes for more. He becomes Prince Ali because he doesn’t think he is good enough for Jasmine.
Can you give another example from a movie or literature?

4. Character vs. Character
This is an external conflict between two characters.
The hero's conflict with the villain plays a large role in the plot and contributes to changes in the characters.

5. Character vs. Character
EXAMPLE: The queen is so jealous of Snow White that she disguises herself as an old woman and offers a poisoned apple.

6. Protagonist vs. Antagonist
the main character toward whom the audience is supposed to feel more empathetic (concerned)
not always a “good” person
Antagonist
opposition to the protagonist
In simple terms, it’s the Hero vs. Villain, but characters are more interesting if they are not simply good vs. evil.

7. Is it an internal or external conflict?
Character vs. Nature
The character is placed against natural forces.
Disaster films and stories about struggling for survival in isolated locations have this theme.
Is it an internal or external conflict?
Can you give an example?

8. Character vs. Nature
EXAMPLE: In Eight Below, the characters battle the natural environment of Antarctica.

9. Character vs. Fate
The character has to deal with luck, chance, destiny, or God’s will.

10. Character vs. Fate
EXAMPLE: Harry has no control over the family legacy he’s been given.
Character vs. fate

11. Character vs. Technology
The protagonist has little understanding of and absolutely no control over his/her opponent.
Usually science fiction: computers, robots, etc

12. Character vs. Technology
EXAMPLE: Carmen and Juni find themselves inside a virtual reality video game.

13. Character vs. Society
The protagonist has to deal with and sometimes breaks laws, rules, or expectations that prevent the character’s growth or progress.
These rules may or may not be correct.

14. Character vs. Society
EXAMPLE: Mulan goes against Chinese tradition and disguises herself as a man in order to be a warrior.

15. Let’s view a few examples:
Raise your hand.
What conflict do you think is represented?

16. Character vs. nature

17. This is the classic good vs. evil example of character vs character
Color connotation for good vs. evil: white & blue vs. red & black. This already understood tradition of color connotation is part of how it was so easy for Europeans to demonize darker skinned people and accept enslavement of them.

18. Character vs, technology In this case Wall E is outdated and trying to deal with more advanced tech than himself

19. Character vs nature –iceberg, freezing water

20. Character vs. fate All of the young people in The Hunger Games are waiting for the lottery to be drawn

21. Character vs society- they defy their families’ rules