Inner conflict

Definition

Inner conflict refers to the psychological struggle within a character, where opposing desires, beliefs, or emotions create tension and challenge their decision-making. This conflict is often essential for character development, revealing deeper motivations and vulnerabilities that drive the narrative forward.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Inner conflict can manifest as moral dilemmas, where characters must choose between right and wrong, leading to growth or failure.
2. This type of conflict often serves as a catalyst for plot progression, forcing characters to confront their fears or insecurities.
3. Playwrights and authors use inner conflict to deepen the audience's emotional connection to characters, making them more relatable and complex.
4. The resolution of inner conflict frequently leads to critical moments in a story, such as climaxes or turning points, influencing the overall outcome.
5. Different genres approach inner conflict uniquely; for instance, in tragedy, it may lead to downfall, while in comedy, it can result in personal growth or enlightenment.

Review Questions

• How does inner conflict contribute to a character's development throughout a narrative?
  • Inner conflict plays a crucial role in character development by revealing their vulnerabilities and driving them to make significant choices. As characters navigate their conflicting desires or beliefs, they often experience growth or change. This struggle not only deepens the audience's understanding of the character but also adds layers to the story by showing how these internal battles influence external actions and relationships.
• Analyze how playwrights can use inner conflict to create dramatic tension in their works.
  • Playwrights effectively use inner conflict to build dramatic tension by placing characters in situations where their desires clash with their values or circumstances. This tension heightens the stakes of the narrative, compelling audiences to engage with the characters' struggles. As the character wrestles with their decisions, the unfolding drama captivates viewers, leading them to anticipate how these internal battles will resolve and impact the storyline.
• Evaluate the significance of inner conflict in shaping themes within a play or story.
  • Inner conflict is pivotal in shaping themes within a play or story as it often embodies universal struggles such as identity, morality, and choice. By exploring these conflicts through characters' journeys, playwrights can comment on larger societal issues or personal experiences. The resolution or lack thereof can highlight themes of redemption, failure, or self-discovery, prompting audiences to reflect on their own inner conflicts and the human condition as a whole.

Related terms

Character Arc: The transformation or growth a character experiences throughout a story, often as a result of resolving their inner conflicts.

Motivation: The underlying reasons or goals that drive a character's actions and decisions, which can be influenced by their inner conflicts.

Dramatic Tension: The emotional strain or suspense in a story that arises from characters facing significant challenges, including their inner conflicts.