Internal Conflict

Definition

Internal conflict refers to a psychological struggle within a character, often involving opposing desires, beliefs, or emotions. It plays a crucial role in shaping character development and motivation, revealing the complexities of human nature. This struggle can drive a character's decisions and actions, ultimately influencing the overall narrative arc and dramatic tension within a story.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal conflict is often depicted through a character's thoughts, dialogues, and actions, allowing audiences to empathize with their struggles.
2. This type of conflict can manifest as guilt, fear, love, or ambition, creating depth and relatability in character portrayal.
3. Effective use of internal conflict can heighten the stakes in a story, making a character's eventual choices more impactful.
4. In drama, internal conflicts are crucial for revealing themes and moral dilemmas that resonate with the audience.
5. Characters overcoming internal conflicts often lead to significant growth or change, marking key moments in their journey.

Review Questions

• How does internal conflict contribute to character development and motivation within a narrative?
  • Internal conflict is fundamental to character development as it showcases the struggles that characters face when torn between conflicting desires or beliefs. This tension not only drives their motivations but also shapes their decisions throughout the story. As characters confront these internal battles, they often evolve and grow, making their arcs more compelling and relatable for the audience.
• Discuss the impact of internal conflict on the structure of a narrative and its dramatic devices.
  • Internal conflict significantly impacts the structure of a narrative by creating tension and suspense that keeps audiences engaged. Dramatic devices such as soliloquies or flashbacks may be employed to reveal a character's inner turmoil, allowing the audience to witness their psychological struggles. This exploration of internal conflict enhances the dramatic stakes and helps establish themes that resonate throughout the storyline.
• Evaluate how effective portrayals of internal conflict can influence audience engagement and thematic depth in storytelling.
  • Effective portrayals of internal conflict can profoundly influence audience engagement by fostering empathy for characters' struggles and dilemmas. When audiences relate to these conflicts, they become more invested in the characters' journeys and outcomes. Additionally, these conflicts often underscore central themes, such as identity or morality, enriching the narrative with deeper meaning and allowing audiences to reflect on their own experiences with similar struggles.

Related terms

Character Arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character as they face challenges, often resulting from internal conflict.

Motivation:

The reasons behind a character's actions, which are often influenced by their internal struggles and desires.

Dramatic Irony:

A situation where the audience knows more about a character's internal conflict than the character does, adding tension to the narrative.