Conflict in StoriesConflict in Stories

ConflictConflict

In a story, conflict is the In a story, conflict is the struggle struggle between between opposingopposing forces. forces.

Plot: ConflictPlot: ConflictConflict is the dramatic struggle Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.conflict, there is no plot.

Protagonist vs. AntagonistProtagonist vs. Antagonist

The The main main character struggles against the character struggles against the antagonist. antagonist.

The antagonist can be a person, idea, emotion, The antagonist can be a person, idea, emotion, decision, nature, rules and laws. decision, nature, rules and laws.

Four Types of ConflictFour Types of Conflict

Character vs Nature

Character vs Society

Character vs Self

Character vs Character

ExternalExternal

External Conflict takes place External Conflict takes place outside outside of the bodyof the body

External External

There are three types of There are three types of external conflictexternal conflict

Man vs. Man vs. ManMan

The struggle is between two or more The struggle is between two or more characters in the story.characters in the story.

ExternalExternal

Man vs. Man vs. NatureNatureThis type of conflict pits a story's main character This type of conflict pits a story's main character

or characters against a natural force such as a or characters against a natural force such as a flood, fire, blizzard, or disease epidemic. flood, fire, blizzard, or disease epidemic.

ExternalExternal

Man Against Man Against SocietySocietyIn many stories, the protagonist battles against In many stories, the protagonist battles against

element of government or culture.element of government or culture.

Stop and JotStop and Jot

External conflict occurs when one faces External conflict occurs when one faces someone else or some situation that is working someone else or some situation that is working against one's own desires or goals.against one's own desires or goals.

What do you want? What do you want? What is working against you?  What stands in What is working against you?  What stands in the way between you and your  goal?the way between you and your  goal?

InternalInternal

Internal Conflict takes place Internal Conflict takes place insideinside of the of the body/mind.body/mind.

Man vs. SelfMan vs. SelfThe struggle or opposition is The struggle or opposition is withinwithin the character--making a the character--making a

tough decision or overcoming guilt for example. A tough decision or overcoming guilt for example. A character struggling to overcome fear, sadness or personal character struggling to overcome fear, sadness or personal

issue is struggling with issue is struggling with internal conflictinternal conflict. .

Stop and JotStop and Jot

Inner conflict occurs when one is confronted Inner conflict occurs when one is confronted with a problem that presents difficult choices.with a problem that presents difficult choices.

Think about the events in your life and try to Think about the events in your life and try to recall a time when you experienced an inner recall a time when you experienced an inner conflict.conflict.What was the problem? What was the problem? What happened as a result of your decision? What happened as a result of your decision?

PracticePractice

Decide what type of conflict is Decide what type of conflict is being illustrated in the being illustrated in the

following picturesfollowing pictures

1. Man vs. ?1. Man vs. ?

2. Man vs. ?2. Man vs. ?

3. Man vs. ?3. Man vs. ?

4. Man vs. 4. Man vs.

5. Man vs. ?5. Man vs. ?

6. Man vs. ?6. Man vs. ?

7. Man vs. ?7. Man vs. ?

PracticePractice

Now that you have mastered Now that you have mastered pictures, let’s try some text!pictures, let’s try some text!

8. Man vs. ?8. Man vs. ?

““If she had only proceeded more slowly.If she had only proceeded more slowly.

If she had only taken the Southerly route, If she had only taken the Southerly route, avoiding the icebergs. If only the watch avoiding the icebergs. If only the watch

had had a pair of binoculars.”had had a pair of binoculars.”

(news story about the Titanic)(news story about the Titanic)

9. Man vs. ?9. Man vs. ?

Charles decided to break all the rules the Charles decided to break all the rules the day he decided to steal that car. He was day he decided to steal that car. He was immediately arrested and sent to jail to immediately arrested and sent to jail to await his trial. He should have known await his trial. He should have known better than to mess with the “rules.”better than to mess with the “rules.”

10. Man vs. ?10. Man vs. ?

““I don’t care who you talk I don’t care who you talk to!” screamed Sarah to to!” screamed Sarah to West. “I just wish I had West. “I just wish I had

never met you!”never met you!”

11. Man vs. ?11. Man vs. ?

After the light in the cave was After the light in the cave was completely gone Tom began to completely gone Tom began to

stumble through the cave blindly stumble through the cave blindly cutting his hands on what cutting his hands on what

appeared to be sharp rocks.appeared to be sharp rocks.

12. Man vs. ?12. Man vs. ?

Tom found a dry spot to sit down in Tom found a dry spot to sit down in the dark and began to feel guilty the dark and began to feel guilty

over an argument he had had over an argument he had had earlier in the day with his mother earlier in the day with his mother in which he had said, “I hope I in which he had said, “I hope I

never see you again!”never see you again!”