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.