CONFLICT IN LITERATURE Adapted from podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/j3watts/files/.../CONFLICT-Power-Point.ppt‎

Freytag’s Pyramid Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story.

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

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

Conflicts and Characters The main character is the protagonist. The opposing force or character is the antagonist.

Character vs. Character Types of Conflict Character vs. Character Character vs. Nature Character vs. Society Character vs. Himself Racism

Conflicts and Characters Protagonist vs. Antagonist Character vs. Character Character vs. Nature Character vs. Society Character vs. Himself

Conflicts can be either…. EXTERNAL Or INTERNAL

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

“Cinderella” Protagonist Antagonist

“The Three Little Pigs”

The Perfect Storm

To Kill a Mockingbird

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.

“The Judgment of Paris” Whom should I choose?

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?

…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…

WHAT TYPE OF CONFLICT?

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?

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.

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.

WHAT TYPE OF CONFLICT?

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

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.