CONFLICT

CONFLICT

·      Conflict is essential to plot. Without conflict there is no plot. It makes the plot move forward.  

·      Conflict is not just an argument or physical fight, it is any form of opposition that faces the main character.

·      Within a short story, there only one conflict, or there could be one main one and several small ones.

There are two types of conflict:

1)    External - A struggle with a force outside one's self.

2)  Internal - A struggle within one's self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.

There are four main kinds of conflict:

1)    Man vs. Man (physical) - The leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men, forces of nature, or animals.

2)  Man vs. Circumstances (classical) - The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him/her.

3)  Man vs. Society (social) - The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people.

4)  Man vs. Himself/Herself (psychological) - The leading character struggles with himself/herself; with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices…