Types of Conflict Created by Kathryn Reilly Conflicts

Types of Conflict Created by Kathryn Reilly

Conflicts in Literature • Three main categories of conflict exist: – Internal • Man vs. Self – External • • Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society Man vs. Supernatural Man vs. Man – Relational • One literary work may have several different conflicts. • Note: Man is a ubiquitous reference to humankind; man could also refer to a woman.

Internal Conflicts • Internal conflicts occur when a character is at odds with himself or herself. – A character could struggle to tell the truth. – A character could struggle to overcome a fear. – A character could struggle to master a difficult skill. – A character could struggle to move beyond his past. – A character could struggle to become a better person.

Internal Conflict Example • In Homer’s epic The Odyssey, Odysseus, King of Ithaca, must overcome his hubris before returning home. • Poseidon, god of the sea, curses Odysseus to wander the oceans until he overcomes his pride and discovers humbleness. • After many perilous adventures Odysseus ultimately learns that his success and survival depends upon others – both humans and gods.

External Conflicts • External conflicts occur when a character confronts a force outside of himself. • Four main external conflicts exist: – Man vs. Nature • Occurs when man battles the elements, such as a tsunami – Man vs. Society • Occurs when man confronts a group, such as the government – Man vs. Supernatural • Occurs when man confronts the unexplainable, such as ghosts – Man vs. Man • Occurs when man confronts another man

External Conflict Examples • Man vs. Nature – In Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe, the titular character is shipwrecked and must survive on a deserted island. • Man vs. Society – Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter follows Hester Prynn as she consistently defies societal conventions. • Man vs. Supernatural – In Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, three spirits confront Ebenezer Scrooge regarding his lackluster approach to life. • Man vs. Man – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mysteries pit the detective against a criminal in each story. Holmes always outwits even the cleverest of villains.

Relational Conflicts • Relational conflicts occur between individuals due to their specific personalities. • Relational conflicts are often symbolic of the relationship the two characters share. • Common relational conflicts in literature include: – – Parent-child Boss-employee Leader-outcast Boyfriend-girlfriend/husband-wife

Relational Conflict Examples • Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – Both the title characters’ defiance of their respective parents’ wishes leads to the play’s tragic ending. • Bronte’s Wuthering Heights – Catherine must choose between the man she loves and the man who can raise her societal position; she chooses the latter with dire consequences.

A Note on Literary Conflicts • A single literary work may have multiple conflicts. Let’s look at Romeo and Juliet as an example. – Internal Conflict • Juliet’s Nurse must decide to honor Juliet’s wish to be with Romeo or her parents’ arranged marriage to Paris. – External Conflict • Romeo and Tybalt duel. (Man vs. Man) • Romeo is banished from the City of Verona by city officials. (Man vs. Society) – Relational Conflict • Romeo and Juliet vs. their parents (child vs. parent)

Conflict Type Reviews • Conflicts may be divided into three categories: – Internal – External – Relational • A literary work may have multiple conflicts within the text.