1. CONFLICT IN LITERATURE

2. Plot
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story.

3. Plot Components
Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action
Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax
Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story.
Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes.
Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable.
Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point.
Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts
Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

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

5. Conflicts can be either….
EXTERNAL Or
INTERNAL

6. Society Nature Another as a whole Character
EXTERNAL CONFLICT involves a struggle between a character and a force outside of himself.
Society Nature Another
as a whole Character

7. INTERNAL CONFLICT is a struggle between a character and something within himself/herself. This could be his/her conscience, fear, love or other struggles of that source.

8. Group Work – Turn and Talk
Read the following excerpt from Saki’s “The Interlopers”. Turn and talk with a partner and decide what kind of conflict is evident. What are some solutions to this conflict?

9. …a mass of falling beech tree had thundered down on them
…a mass of falling beech tree had thundered down on them. Ulrich Von Gradwitz found himself stretched on the ground, one arm numb beneath him and the other held almost as helplessly in a tight tangle of forked branches, while both legs were pinned beneath the fallen mass. His heavy shooting boots had saved his feet from being crushed to pieces, but if his fractures were not as serious as they might have been, at least it was evident that he could not move from his present position till someone came to release him…

10. WHAT TYPE OF CONFLICT?

11. External Conflict! Man V. Nature
What is nature as represented here?
How can this struggle be resolved?
What would your thoughts be at this time?

12. Group Work – Turn and Talk
Now read the following excerpt from “The Most Dangerous Game.” Again identify the conflict and explain what kind of conflict it is.

13. Rainsford had fought his way through the bush for two hours
Rainsford had fought his way through the bush for two hours. “I must keep my nerve. I must keep my nerve,” he said through tight teeth.
He had not been entirely clear-headed when the chateau gates snapped shut behind him. His whole idea at first was to put distance between himself and General Zaroff, and, to this end, he had plunged along, spurred on by the sharp rowels of something very like panic.

14. WHAT TYPE OF CONFLICT?

15. Internal Conflict! Man V. Himself
What is Rainsford fighting here?
What seems to have caused this conflict?

16. Sum Up
There are three types of external conflict: Man V. Man, Man V. Nature, and Man V. Society
There is one type of internal conflict: Man vs. Himself
Conflict is ESSENTIAL to any story