Person vs. Society

Definition

Person vs. Society is a conflict where an individual faces challenges or opposition from the societal norms, values, or expectations surrounding them. This type of struggle often highlights the tension between personal beliefs or desires and the broader social context, allowing for deep character development and exploration of themes such as conformity, rebellion, and identity. In storytelling, this conflict can serve as a crucial obstacle that characters must navigate in order to grow or achieve their goals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Person vs. Society conflicts often illustrate how societal pressures can impact individual choices and mental health.
2. Characters may face backlash, ostracism, or even punishment for challenging societal norms, highlighting the stakes of their struggle.
3. The resolution of such conflicts can lead to significant character growth, either by conforming to society or finding a way to reconcile personal beliefs with social expectations.
4. This conflict is commonly seen in literature and drama as it resonates with audiences who have faced similar societal pressures.
5. Themes of justice, morality, and social change frequently emerge from person vs. society conflicts, making them relevant to contemporary issues.

Review Questions

• How does the conflict of person vs. society serve as an obstacle for character development?
  • The conflict of person vs. society acts as a major obstacle because it forces characters to confront societal expectations and their own values. As they navigate these tensions, characters are often pushed to make difficult choices that test their convictions and lead to growth. This struggle can lead to a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, ultimately shaping their identities and influencing their future actions.
• Discuss how societal norms can create obstacles for characters in a narrative, giving an example of such a conflict.
  • Societal norms can create significant obstacles by imposing restrictions on how characters express themselves or pursue their goals. For instance, a character who wishes to pursue an unconventional career may face disapproval from family and friends who expect them to follow a more traditional path. This conflict can drive the plot forward as the character grapples with the desire for acceptance versus the need for personal fulfillment, illustrating the complex dynamics between individual aspirations and societal expectations.
• Evaluate the impact of person vs. society conflicts on modern storytelling and its reflection of contemporary issues.
  • Person vs. society conflicts have become increasingly relevant in modern storytelling as they address pressing contemporary issues such as social justice, identity politics, and cultural clashes. These narratives often reflect the struggles individuals face when challenging systemic norms and injustices within society. By showcasing these conflicts, stories not only engage audiences on a personal level but also encourage critical discussions about societal change and individual responsibility, highlighting the ongoing relevance of this theme in our lives today.

Related terms

Social Norms: The unwritten rules and expectations about how individuals should behave in a society, influencing actions and interactions.

Individualism: A social theory advocating for the moral worth of the individual, often in opposition to collective or societal interests.

Collectivism: A political or economic theory that emphasizes the collective over the individual, often prioritizing group goals and welfare over personal desires.