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Understanding Conflict in Literature

This document provides an overview of conflict in literature, including definitions, types, and examples. It begins by defining conflict as a struggle between opposing forces that prevents the protagonist from achieving their goal. It then distinguishes between external conflict, which involves outside forces, and internal conflict, which involves a character's inner struggles. The four main types of external conflict are presented as man vs. man, man vs. nature, and man vs. society. The types of internal conflict are defined as man vs. self. The document provides examples of each and concludes with a short quiz to test understanding.

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Albertus Wibi Hadi
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163 views26 pages

Understanding Conflict in Literature

This document provides an overview of conflict in literature, including definitions, types, and examples. It begins by defining conflict as a struggle between opposing forces that prevents the protagonist from achieving their goal. It then distinguishes between external conflict, which involves outside forces, and internal conflict, which involves a character's inner struggles. The four main types of external conflict are presented as man vs. man, man vs. nature, and man vs. society. The types of internal conflict are defined as man vs. self. The document provides examples of each and concludes with a short quiz to test understanding.

Uploaded by

Albertus Wibi Hadi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Icon Education Presents

The Active Learning Series….

Understanding Conflict in Literature

Icon Education, Inc.


Westmont, NJ 08108
Objectives of Conflict Lesson
By the conclusion of this lesson students will be able to…

• Define conflict.

• Understand the difference between internal and external


conflict.

• Identify the four main types of conflict.


Understanding Conflict in Literature
Definition of Conflict

Kinds of Conflict

Types of Conflict
Information

Quiz
Finished
Definition of Conflict
Conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces in a
work of literature. In literature the conflict of a story is
related to the protagonist or main character in some
way.
In most cases the conflict of a story results because
something or someone is preventing the main
character (protagonist) from achieving his/her goal.
When it comes down to it without conflict, there is no
plot.
Kinds of Conflict
External Conflict Internal Conflict

External conflict is the struggle Internal conflict is the struggle


between a character (usually between a character (usually
the protagonist) and some sort the protagonist) and his or her
of outside force. This outside own feelings, morality, self-
force can be another character, control, determination, doubts
societal or community beliefs, or fears. Since these forces are
the legal system and even internal they are not visible or
forces of nature. tangible.

External conflict is most often Internal conflict is most often


seen when a character in a seen when a character in a
story comes into conflict with a story comes into conflict with
tangible or visible force that their own conscience, actions,
stands in the way them or decisions.
reaching their goal.
External Conflict Examples Internal Conflict Examples
Examples of External Conflict
“He was losing in his battle with the frost. It was creeping into his body from all sides.
The thought of it drove him on, but he ran no more than a hundred feet, when he
staggered and pitched headlong. It was his last panic. When he had recovered his breath
and control, he sat up and entertained in his mind the conception of meeting death with
dignity.”

-The man from London’s To Build a Fire battling against freezing to death from fringed Yukon environment

“Tessie Hutchinson was in the center of a cleared space by now, and she held her hands
out desperately as the villagers moved in on her. ‘It isn't fair,’ she said. A stone hit her
on the side of the head… ‘It isn't fair, it isn't right,’ Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then
they were upon her.”

- Mrs. Hutchinson from Jackson’s The Lottery pleading to her fellow villagers to spare her life.

“‘But you put yourself in contact with me," said the woman. "If you think that
that contact is not going to last awhile, you got another though coming. When
I get through with you, sir, you are going to remember Mrs. Luella Bates
Washington Jones.’"

- Mrs. Jones from Hughes’ Thank You, M’am confronting a young boy named Roger

Return
Examples of Internal Conflict
“She removed her wrap before the glass so as to see herself once more in all her glory.
But suddenly she uttered a cry… ‘I have– I have– lost Madame Forestier’s necklace.’”

-Madame Loisel from de Maupassant’s The Necklace agonizing over the loss of Madame Forestier’s necklace

“Rainsford did not want to believe what his reason told him was true… The Cossack
was the cat; he was the mouse. Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of
terror.”

-Rainsford from Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game trying to overcome his fear of being killed.

“Almighty God! –no, no! They heard! –they suspected! –they knew!– they were making a
mockery of my horror!- this I thought, and this I think.”

-The insane narrator from Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart battling his anxiety and conscience.

Return
Types of Conflict

External Conflict Types Internal Conflict Types


Types of External Conflict:
*Man vs. Man Man vs. man typifies the daily troubles we have with
others. This type of conflict finds the main character in
conflict with another character.

Man vs. nature is one of the very first struggles we as


Man vs. Nature a civilization faced. This conflict finds the main
character in conflict with the forces of nature, which
serve as the antagonist.
Man vs. Society has the main character in conflict
Man vs. Society with a larger group: a community, society, culture,
etc… A character main struggle with
mainstream beliefs or community values.

Return
*Man = Character
Types of Internal Conflict:
Man vs. Self has the main character suffering against
* Man vs. Self some kind of inner conflict. Often the character is
conflicted with self-doubt regarding a moral decision
or a decision needed to attain happiness.

Return
*Man = Character
Conflict Quiz
Which of these is not a form of internal conflict?

A. A protagonist struggling with his/her conscience.

B. A protagonist struggling with self-control.

C. A protagonist struggling with self-doubt.

D. A protagonist struggling with his/her neighbor.

E. A protagonist struggling with personal fear.


Congratulations
You’re Right!
Conflict Quiz
Which of these is a form of external conflict?

A. A protagonist seeking shelter from an approaching tornado.

B. A protagonist being chased by an angry mob.

C. A protagonist being hunted by the police .

D. A protagonist fighting off the attack of a stranger.

E. All of the above.


Congratulations
You’re Right!
Conflict Quiz
Which of these is an example of internal conflict?

A. Madame Loisel fighting with her husband about replacing the necklace.

B. Rainsford struggling with his fear of being killed.

C. Mrs. Hutchinson begging her fellow villagers to spare her life.

D. Mrs. Jones confronting Rodger about his decision to steal her purse.

E. The man in To Build a Fire struggling against the arctic cold.


Congratulations
You’re Right!
Conflict Quiz
Which of these is an example of external conflict?

A. Mr. Underhill’s epic battle with Blackbeard.

B. The protagonist in The Raven wrestling with his sanity.

C. The narrator of The Tell-Tale Heart battling with his conscience.

D. Madame Loisel agonizing over the loss of Madame Forestier’s necklace.

E. Rainsford struggling with his fear of being killed.


Congratulations
You’re Right!
Conflict Quiz
Internal conflict is often referred to as this?

A. Man vs. Man

B. Man vs. Nature

C. Man vs. Self

D. Man vs. Society

E. Man vs. Machine


Congratulations
You’re Right!
Conflict Quiz
Which of these is a real type or category of external conflict?

A. Man vs. Evil

B. Man vs. Society

C. Man vs. Machine

D. Man vs. Self

E. Man vs. Woman


Congratulations
You’re Right!
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

You have completed this lesson.

See teacher for


Review Sheet and Mastery Check.

Credits
Credits
Design Layout

Michael F. Berner

Content

WAMS Literacy Handbook

Graphics

Microsoft Clipart Gallery


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Right, but not
completely right.

Look closer and


Try Again!

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