Environmental Obstacles

Definition

Environmental obstacles are challenges and conflicts that arise from the physical surroundings and external conditions affecting characters in a story. These obstacles can range from natural disasters and harsh climates to societal pressures and cultural norms, all of which can impact character development and decision-making throughout the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Environmental obstacles often serve as catalysts for character growth, forcing them to adapt and evolve in response to their surroundings.
2. These obstacles can enhance tension within the narrative by creating urgent situations that characters must navigate, heightening drama and engagement.
3. Examples of environmental obstacles include extreme weather conditions, societal expectations, cultural barriers, and even moral dilemmas rooted in the setting.
4. In acclaimed scripts, successful use of environmental obstacles often ties into the theme of survival, resilience, or personal discovery.
5. The interplay between characters and their environmental obstacles is crucial in shaping the plot and creating a believable, immersive experience for the audience.

Review Questions

• How do environmental obstacles influence a character's development throughout a narrative?
  • Environmental obstacles play a significant role in shaping a character's development by presenting challenges that force them to adapt and make critical decisions. As characters confront these external factors, they often undergo personal growth or change, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves and their motivations. This interaction with their environment not only adds depth to their character arcs but also enhances the overall tension and stakes within the story.
• Analyze how environmental obstacles can be used to create conflict in a screenplay and provide examples from acclaimed scripts.
  • Environmental obstacles can create conflict in a screenplay by challenging characters with situations that test their limits or beliefs. For instance, in films like 'The Revenant,' harsh weather conditions act as formidable barriers that characters must overcome to survive. Similarly, in 'The Martian,' the protagonist faces life-threatening challenges on Mars, with environmental factors driving both the plot and character actions. These examples highlight how well-crafted environmental obstacles can enhance narrative conflict while fostering character development.
• Evaluate the role of environmental obstacles in establishing themes of resilience and survival in storytelling.
  • Environmental obstacles are vital in establishing themes of resilience and survival as they push characters into extreme situations that require resourcefulness and determination. In narratives like 'Life of Pi,' the protagonist's struggle against nature not only serves as an obstacle but also symbolizes his inner journey toward self-discovery and survival. By evaluating how these challenges influence character choices and emotional responses, we can see how effectively they highlight human resilience against adversity, thus deepening the thematic resonance of the story.

Related terms

Character Arc:

The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story, often influenced by external challenges and conflicts.

Conflict:

The struggle between opposing forces, which can be internal (within a character) or external (against environmental obstacles or other characters).

Setting: The time and place in which the story occurs, encompassing the physical environment that can present obstacles for characters.