Internal Struggles

Definition

Internal struggles refer to the conflicts and dilemmas that characters face within themselves, often highlighting their emotional and psychological battles. These struggles are pivotal in driving character development, revealing their motivations, fears, and desires as they navigate complex situations across the narrative. As characters confront and resolve these internal conflicts, viewers witness their growth and transformation over time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal struggles are crucial in creating depth and complexity in characters, making them relatable and engaging for the audience.
2. These struggles can manifest as moral dilemmas, emotional conflicts, or personal crises, often requiring characters to make significant choices.
3. The resolution of internal struggles can lead to character growth, where characters evolve in response to their experiences and challenges.
4. Viewers often connect with characters on a deeper level when they witness their internal battles, as it reflects the real human experience of facing personal challenges.
5. The portrayal of internal struggles can vary widely across genres, but they consistently serve to enhance character development and drive the plot.

Review Questions

• How do internal struggles contribute to a character's development over multiple seasons?
  • Internal struggles are essential in character development as they provide the framework for growth and change. Over multiple seasons, these conflicts force characters to confront their fears, make tough decisions, and ultimately evolve. By witnessing how characters handle these struggles, audiences can see a more nuanced depiction of their personalities and motivations as they navigate various challenges throughout the series.
• Discuss how resolving internal struggles can impact a character's relationships with others in a long-running series.
  • When characters resolve their internal struggles, it often leads to significant changes in their relationships with others. For example, overcoming personal insecurities might allow a character to be more open and honest with friends or loved ones. This shift not only enhances the dynamics within those relationships but also contributes to the overall narrative by demonstrating how personal growth can influence interactions and foster deeper connections among characters.
• Evaluate the role of internal struggles in enhancing the narrative complexity of a series over time.
  • Internal struggles play a vital role in enhancing narrative complexity by providing layers to character motivations and interactions. As characters grapple with their issues over time, the audience is presented with rich storytelling opportunities that explore themes of identity, morality, and personal growth. This complexity not only keeps viewers engaged but also reflects real-life experiences of conflict and resolution, making the narrative resonate on a more profound level throughout the series.

Related terms

Character Arc:

The journey a character undergoes through change and development throughout the story, often marked by overcoming internal struggles.

Motivation: The driving force behind a character's actions, which often stems from their internal struggles and desires.

Conflict: The opposition between characters or forces that propels the narrative forward, with internal struggles being a key form of conflict.