Conflict in Literature

1
Conflict in Literature

• The Conflict is the struggle between opposing
  forces.
• Stories may have more than one conflict.

2
Refresher Definitions

• Protagonist
• Central character in a literary work
• Usually the hero
• Antagonist
• Force that works against the protagonist
• Not necessarily a person

3

• External Conflict a character struggles with
  some outside person or force. One character may
  oppose another character. Sometimes a character
  struggles against a force such as a blizzard, a
  flood, poverty, etc.
• Internal Conflict a struggle takes place within
  the mind of a character. For example, the
  character might struggle with himself or herself
  to do the right thing.

4
Your Mission

• In groups, paste the Man vs. ____ across from
  its corresponding definition onto construction
  paper.
• Draw a quick sketch that would be an example of
  that conflict.
• One type of conflict is written on your envelope.
  With your group, make-up a short-story that
  illustrates that conflict.
• Each group member needs to proofread the story.
  I will be taking off for grammar and spelling
  errors.

5

• Pits the protagonist against another character
• Occurs when the protagonist struggles within
  himself or herself (emotions)
• Occurs when the protagonist is in conflict with
  the values of his or her society
• Occurs when the protagonist is threatened by an
  element of nature
• Occurs when the protagonist must contend against
  a situation over which people have little or no
  control.

• Man vs. Man
• Man vs. Self
• Man vs. Society
• Man vs. Nature
• Man vs. Fate