Conflict

What is Conflict?

Conflict is the struggle or clash between opposing characters or forces. Conflicts may be

external: firefighter vs. fire

internal: firefighter vs. his or her fear

or

Conflict

An internal conflict is a struggle that takes place within or INSIDE a character’s mind or heart.

• Characters struggle with themselves to make decisions.

• Should I do my homework or go to the football game?

• Should I join the crowd or stand up for my beliefs?

• What is the best choice????

CHARACTER VS. SELF

Conflict

An internal conflict is a struggle that takes place within or INSIDE a character’s mind or heart.

• Peak must decide whether to summit Everest or let SunJo get the glory.

• Katniss struggles with whether to run away with Gale or stay.

• Bella struggles between Edward and Jacob.

CHARACTER VS. SELF

Conflict

An external conflict may be a struggle between

• Character vs. Character

• Character vs. Society

• Character vs. Nature

• Character vs. Fate

Conflict

A struggle between two or more characters in a story.

CHARACTER VS. CHARACTER

• Stanley Yelnats vs. Mr. Sir

• Katniss vs. the Tributes

• The Cullens vs. Victoria

• Peak vs. Josh (his father)

Conflict

A struggle between a character and the laws or beliefs of a group of people.

CHARACTER VS. SOCIETY

• Peak vs. NYC

• Civil Rights

• Hoot –Kids vs. Big Company

• Katniss vs. The Capitol (the berries)

Conflict

A struggle between a character and some part of the environment.

CHARACTER VS. NATURE

• Peak vs. Mt. Everest

• Katniss vs. The arena

Conflict

A struggle between a character and some unseen force that seems to be controlling events in the story.

CHARACTER VS. FATE

• Stanley Yelnats vs. his family curse

• Percy Jackson vs. his fate as a half God

The protagonist is the main character in the story. It is usually the good guy, but NOT ALWAYS.

PROTAGONIST & ANTAGONIST

• Percy Jackson vs. the Gods.

The antagonist is the character who stands directly opposite the protagonist..

• Katniss vs. The Capitol.

• Artemis Fowl vs. Holly Short

LET’S PRACTICE

Look at each picture and decide which is the correct

type of conflict.

1. Character vs. Nature

2. Character vs. Self

3. Character vs. Character

4. Character vs. Society

5. Character vs. Nature

6. Character vs. Society

7. Character vs.Character

8. Character vs. ?

“If she had only proceeded more slowly.

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

had had a pair of binoculars.”

(news story about the Titanic)

9. Character vs.

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

Society

10. Character vs.

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

never met you!”

Character

11. Character vs.

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

stumble through the cave blindly cutting his hands on what

appeared to be sharp rocks.

Nature

12. Character vs.

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

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

never see you again!”

Self

13. Character vs.

Tom’s mother was upset that he wanted to skip going to college in order to go

exploring in all of the world’s greatest caves before he turned thirty. Tom didn’t understand what the big deal was and

wanted to run his own life.

Character

THE END