Internal Conflict

Definition

Internal conflict is the psychological struggle within a character, often involving opposing desires, beliefs, or emotions. This struggle is essential for character development and drives the narrative, influencing choices and actions throughout the story.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal conflict is crucial for creating relatable and multi-dimensional characters, making audiences empathize with their struggles.
2. The resolution of internal conflict often marks a turning point in a character's arc, leading to significant growth or change.
3. It can manifest through different forms such as moral dilemmas, fear of failure, or conflicting loyalties that shape the character's journey.
4. Well-crafted internal conflicts can enhance themes by exploring complex issues such as identity, love, loss, or morality.
5. In action-oriented stories, internal conflict can add depth to characters by juxtaposing their physical challenges with personal struggles.

Review Questions

• How does internal conflict enhance a character's arc and contribute to the overall theme of a story?
  • Internal conflict deepens a character's arc by providing them with challenges that force them to confront their beliefs and desires. As characters struggle with their internal issues, they undergo significant development, which often reflects the central themes of the narrative. For example, a character grappling with guilt may ultimately seek redemption, thus reinforcing themes of forgiveness and self-discovery.
• In what ways can internal conflict influence the dynamics between characters in a story?
  • Internal conflict can significantly impact character relationships by creating tension and misunderstandings. When one character is struggling internally, it may affect their interactions with others, leading to conflict or distance. This struggle can prompt other characters to react in various ways—offering support, becoming antagonistic, or challenging the conflicted character, thereby adding layers to their relationship dynamics.
• Evaluate how internal conflict contributes to pacing in action and thriller narratives while maintaining dramatic tension.
  • In action and thriller narratives, internal conflict adds layers of complexity that keep audiences engaged. While external events unfold rapidly, the protagonist’s internal struggles create a counterbalance that allows for moments of reflection and emotional depth. This interplay helps maintain dramatic tension as viewers are not only invested in the physical stakes but also in how these high-stakes scenarios force characters to confront their fears and desires, ultimately enhancing the pacing and overall impact of the story.

Related terms

Character Motivation:

The reasons behind a character's actions or decisions, often shaped by their internal conflicts and desires.

Dramatic Irony:

A situation in which the audience knows more about a character's internal struggles than the character does, creating tension and engagement.

Theme:

The central idea or underlying message of a story, often reflected through a character's internal conflict and development.