External Conflicts

Definition

External conflicts are struggles that occur between a character and an outside force, which can include other characters, society, or nature. These conflicts often drive the plot forward and reveal the character's motivations, desires, and growth. By analyzing external conflicts, one can better understand how characters develop in response to challenges they face from the world around them.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. External conflicts can manifest in various forms, such as man vs. man, man vs. society, and man vs. nature, each presenting unique challenges for character development.
2. These conflicts not only affect the plot but also serve as catalysts for revealing deeper layers of a character's personality and motivations.
3. The resolution of external conflicts often leads to significant character transformation or realization, marking critical turning points in the narrative.
4. Understanding external conflicts helps actors embody their characters more fully by grasping the stakes involved in their struggles against outside forces.
5. In many stories, external conflicts act as a mirror to internal conflicts, highlighting the complex relationship between a character's external actions and their internal thoughts.

Review Questions

• How do external conflicts enhance the understanding of a character's motivations in a story?
  • External conflicts provide clear challenges that characters must navigate, allowing audiences to see how these struggles influence their decisions and reveal their true motivations. For instance, when a protagonist faces an antagonist or societal pressure, their responses can uncover deeper desires or fears. This interplay between conflict and motivation helps to create a more relatable and dynamic character.
• In what ways can an actor utilize external conflicts to portray their character's development during a performance?
  • An actor can leverage external conflicts by emphasizing how these struggles shape their character’s emotional journey. By highlighting reactions to these challenges, such as resilience or despair, actors can depict significant growth or decline in their characters. This approach allows them to create a more engaging performance that resonates with the audience while effectively illustrating the complexity of their role.
• Evaluate how different types of external conflicts impact the overall narrative structure of a story.
  • Different types of external conflicts create varied dynamics within the narrative structure, influencing pacing and tension. For example, man vs. man conflicts typically heighten immediate stakes and create confrontational scenes, while man vs. society conflicts can lead to thematic explorations of justice or conformity over time. By analyzing these impacts, one can see how the choice of conflict shapes character arcs and thematic depth throughout the story.

Related terms

Internal Conflicts: Struggles that occur within a character's mind, often involving emotional or psychological challenges that affect their decisions and actions.

Protagonist: The main character in a story, often facing external conflicts that propel the narrative and lead to their development.

Antagonist: A character or force that opposes the protagonist, often creating external conflicts that challenge the main character's goals.