Internal conflict

Definition

Internal conflict refers to the psychological struggle within a character, often manifesting as opposing desires, emotions, or beliefs. This struggle is crucial for character development and drives the narrative forward, allowing for deeper exploration of themes and arcs. Understanding internal conflict helps in analyzing a character's motivations, challenges, and transformations throughout a story.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal conflict can be represented through dialogue, actions, or even silence, making it a powerful tool for directors to convey a character's emotional state.
2. It often serves as a catalyst for external conflicts in the narrative, where characters must confront their inner turmoil while facing outside challenges.
3. Actors use table work to analyze and understand their character's internal conflicts, allowing them to portray these struggles authentically on stage.
4. The resolution of an internal conflict can lead to significant character growth or regression, impacting the overall trajectory of the story.
5. Effective storytelling relies on well-developed internal conflicts that resonate with audiences and evoke empathy for the characters.

Review Questions

• How does internal conflict enhance a character's development in a narrative?
  • Internal conflict enhances character development by providing depth and complexity to their motivations and actions. It creates a psychological struggle that drives the character’s decisions and growth throughout the story. This struggle can lead to moments of self-discovery, challenge personal beliefs, and ultimately transform the character's perspective or behavior, making them more relatable to the audience.
• In what ways can actors utilize table work to better portray a character's internal conflict?
  • Actors can use table work to dissect their character's internal conflicts by examining script text closely and discussing emotions behind actions. This collaborative analysis helps actors understand the nuances of their character’s struggles, allowing them to bring authenticity to their performance. Through exercises and discussions with directors and peers, actors can explore how these internal battles influence their character’s relationships and choices within the larger narrative.
• Evaluate the impact of resolving an internal conflict on the overall theme of a story.
  • Resolving an internal conflict can significantly alter the thematic landscape of a story by illustrating core messages about identity, morality, or resilience. When a character confronts and overcomes their internal struggles, it can lead to themes of redemption, growth, or self-acceptance being highlighted. Conversely, if the conflict remains unresolved or leads to negative consequences, it can underscore themes such as tragedy or the complexity of human nature. This interplay between resolution and theme is crucial for engaging audiences on both emotional and intellectual levels.

Related terms

Character Arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story, often influenced by their internal conflicts.

Theme:

The underlying message or central idea explored in a narrative, often revealed through characters' internal struggles and conflicts.

Dramatic Irony:

A situation where the audience knows more about a character's internal conflict than the character themselves, heightening tension and engagement.