Internal Conflict

Definition

Internal conflict refers to the psychological struggle within an individual, often involving opposing desires, beliefs, or values. This struggle can manifest in various forms, such as doubt, fear, or indecision, and plays a crucial role in driving a character's development and the overall narrative. Understanding internal conflict helps to shed light on how characters navigate their motivations and challenges, making their journeys relatable and complex.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal conflict is often portrayed through a character's thoughts and emotions, allowing readers to connect with their struggles on a deeper level.
2. The resolution of internal conflict can lead to significant character growth and transformation, making it a critical component of storytelling.
3. Writers often use internal conflict to create tension and suspense, as characters wrestle with their dilemmas and choices.
4. It can manifest as moral dilemmas, where characters must choose between right and wrong or face the consequences of their actions.
5. Internal conflicts often reflect larger themes within a story, such as identity, belonging, or personal redemption.

Review Questions

• How does internal conflict enhance character development in storytelling?
  • Internal conflict enhances character development by providing depth to a character's motivations and struggles. When characters face psychological dilemmas, it allows readers to understand their thought processes and emotional responses better. This connection helps portray the complexity of human nature, making characters more relatable and their journeys more impactful as they evolve through these challenges.
• In what ways can internal conflict create tension within a narrative?
  • Internal conflict creates tension within a narrative by introducing uncertainty and unpredictability regarding a character's choices. As characters grapple with opposing desires or moral dilemmas, readers become invested in the outcome of these struggles. This tension keeps audiences engaged as they anticipate how characters will resolve their conflicts and what impact these resolutions will have on the overall story.
• Evaluate the role of internal conflict in conveying broader themes in literature. How does it connect to the overall message of a story?
  • Internal conflict plays a vital role in conveying broader themes in literature by illustrating how personal struggles reflect universal human experiences. Characters' internal battles often align with themes like redemption, self-discovery, or the search for identity. By depicting these conflicts, writers can emphasize the complexity of human emotions and relationships, reinforcing the story's overall message and prompting readers to reflect on their own lives and challenges.

Related terms

Character Development:

The process by which a character undergoes significant internal change throughout a story, often influenced by their experiences and conflicts.

Motivation: The reasons or drives behind a character's actions and decisions, which can often be influenced by their internal conflicts.

Theme:

The underlying message or central idea of a story, which can be explored through characters' internal conflicts and resolutions.