Internal & External Conflicts Flashcards

Study Notes

Internal Conflict

Defined as a struggle within a character, often labeled as man vs. self.
Involves personal dilemmas, emotional struggles, or moral questions faced by the protagonist.

External Conflict

Occurs between a character and an outside force, representing a man vs. external factor situation.
These forces can include other characters, societal norms, nature, supernatural elements, technology, or destiny.

Types of External Conflicts

Man vs. Man: A direct conflict between two characters, showcasing their differences or adversarial roles.
Man vs. Society: When a character challenges societal expectations or norms, leading to conflict with cultural standards.
Man vs. Nature: Involves struggles against natural forces like storms, animals, or natural disasters.
Man vs. Supernatural: Features conflicts with elements beyond the natural world, such as ghosts, monsters, or otherworldly beings.
Man vs. Technology: Centers on conflicts arising from interactions with machines or advanced technology.
Man vs. Destiny: Explores themes of fate and free will, where a character attempts to challenge or evade their predetermined path.

Difference Between Conflicts

Internal conflicts originate within the character and revolve around personal issues.
External conflicts arise between a character and external factors, encompassing physical confrontations or societal pressures.

Definition of Conflict

Refers to the problems or challenges faced by characters in a narrative, driving the plot and character development.

Description

Explore the concepts of internal and external conflicts through this set of flashcards. Learn the definitions and differences between these types of struggles, as well as examples of external conflicts like man vs. man and man vs. nature. Perfect for literature students looking to deepen their understanding.