Conflict

Definition

Conflict refers to a struggle or clash between opposing forces, ideas, or characters that drives the narrative forward and creates tension. It plays a crucial role in character development as it reveals personalities, motives, and growth through adversity. By engaging characters in conflict, storytellers can explore deeper themes, create engaging plots, and highlight character-driven narratives that resonate with audiences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Conflict can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or forces), each serving to develop the plot and character depth.
2. Different types of conflict include man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. society, and man vs. nature, each offering unique challenges for characters.
3. Conflict is essential for character motivation; it helps to establish goals and stakes, making characters' journeys more compelling.
4. In character-driven narratives, conflict often highlights themes such as morality, love, power, and redemption by forcing characters to confront their beliefs and choices.
5. Effective resolution of conflict leads to character growth and can provide a satisfying conclusion or set up further challenges in the narrative.

Review Questions

• How does conflict contribute to the development of a character's personality?
  • Conflict plays a vital role in shaping a character's personality by exposing their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations under pressure. When faced with challenges or opposing forces, characters reveal their true selves and often undergo significant transformation. This process not only highlights their personal struggles but also allows audiences to connect with them on a deeper level as they witness their journey through adversity.
• Discuss how different types of conflict can enhance the emotional impact of character-driven narratives.
  • Different types of conflict—such as internal struggles versus external confrontations—can enhance the emotional impact of narratives by creating layers of tension and complexity. For example, an internal conflict can evoke empathy as audiences see a character grappling with their own fears and doubts. Conversely, external conflicts with an antagonist can create suspense and excitement. By skillfully weaving these conflicts into the narrative, storytellers can make the emotional stakes higher for characters, engaging viewers more fully.
• Evaluate the significance of conflict resolution in a character's arc and its effect on overall narrative structure.
  • Conflict resolution is crucial in a character's arc as it signifies growth or change resulting from their experiences. This resolution can lead to new insights or reinforce existing traits, shaping how audiences perceive the character throughout the narrative. The way conflict is resolved also affects overall narrative structure by creating a climax that ties together various plot threads and themes, ultimately delivering a satisfying conclusion or setting up future conflicts that keep the story dynamic.

Related terms

Protagonist: The main character in a story who faces conflicts and challenges that drive the narrative.

Antagonist:

A character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating tension and conflict within the story.

Character Arc: The transformation or growth of a character throughout the narrative, often shaped by their experiences with conflict.