Conflict

Definition

Conflict is a struggle or clash between opposing forces, which drives the narrative and character development in storytelling. It creates tension and engages the audience, making the stakes higher for characters. The dynamic interplay between protagonists and antagonists often embodies the central conflict, while other forms can arise through personal dilemmas, societal issues, or internal struggles.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Conflict can be external, involving physical or social struggles, or internal, where a character grapples with personal dilemmas.
2. Effective conflict not only enhances plot but also deepens character development by revealing motivations and desires.
3. Conflict is crucial for creating drama; without it, stories can feel flat and unengaging.
4. In many narratives, the resolution of conflict leads to character growth or transformation.
5. Conflicts can evolve over time, often becoming more complex as characters face new challenges and circumstances.

Review Questions

• How does the relationship between protagonists and antagonists shape the central conflict in storytelling?
  • The relationship between protagonists and antagonists is fundamental to shaping the central conflict in a story. The protagonist typically strives to achieve a goal, while the antagonist presents obstacles that complicate this journey. This clash not only defines their roles but also enhances the stakes of the narrative. As they interact and respond to each other’s actions, their dynamic evolves, deepening the tension and making the resolution of their conflict more impactful for the audience.
• Discuss how conflict can be revealed through dialogue and its effect on exposition in storytelling.
  • Conflict can be effectively revealed through dialogue, which serves as a tool for characters to express their disagreements, desires, or internal struggles. This revelation not only provides exposition about characters’ motivations and backgrounds but also heightens tension in scenes. When characters confront each other verbally, it creates an immediate sense of urgency and engagement for the audience, illustrating their struggles without needing extensive narration. Therefore, dialogue becomes a key mechanism for advancing both conflict and character development.
• Evaluate the role of season-long arcs in building complex conflicts throughout a series. How does this contribute to overall storytelling?
  • Season-long arcs play a significant role in building complex conflicts throughout a series by allowing multiple layers of tension to develop over time. This ongoing conflict can evolve with characters facing new challenges that resonate with earlier themes while introducing fresh obstacles. As viewers become invested in these prolonged struggles, they experience character growth and changing dynamics that deepen their connection to the story. The complexity of sustained conflicts keeps audiences engaged and encourages them to explore broader themes that reflect real-life issues, making the narrative richer and more relatable.

Related terms

Protagonist:

The main character in a story, usually facing challenges that propel the plot forward and evoke audience sympathy.

Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating obstacles and driving the conflict.

Tension:

The mental or emotional strain created by conflict, keeping the audience engaged and invested in the outcome.