Internal & External Conflicts Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is an internal conflict?

A struggle that occurs inside the character's mind.

What is an external conflict?

A struggle between a character and an outside force.

Types of external conflicts include character vs. ______, society, or nature.

character

What is the difference between internal and external conflicts?

Internal conflict is a struggle within the character, while external conflict is a struggle with an outside force. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when the conflict is between two characters?

Character vs. Character. Signup and view all the answers

What is a character vs. self conflict?

Where the main character has a problem or struggle with him or herself; an internal struggle. Signup and view all the answers

What does character vs. society refer to?

Where a main character thinks differently from society or the norm. Signup and view all the answers

What is character vs. nature conflict?

A conflict between a character and a force of nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is conflict in a story?

The problem or problems characters face. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a type of internal conflict?

Character vs. self. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Internal Conflict

Involves a struggle occurring within a character's mind.
Represents emotional or psychological battles that affect a character's decision-making and behavior.

External Conflict

Defined as a struggle between a character and an outside force.
This force can be another character, society, or natural elements.

Types of External Conflicts

Character vs. Character: Conflict occurring between two characters.
Character vs. Society: A character’s beliefs or behaviors conflict with societal norms and expectations.
Character vs. Nature: A character faces challenges posed by natural forces like weather or wildlife.

Internal vs. External Conflict

Internal conflict focuses on struggles within a character, impacting their thoughts and feelings.
External conflict involves interactions with outside forces, highlighting struggles against other characters or societal expectations.

Conflict Types Defined

Character vs. Character: External conflict arising between two distinct characters.
Character vs. Self: An internal struggle where a character faces personal dilemmas or moral quandaries.
Character vs. Society: A scenario where the character's beliefs clash with societal norms.
Character vs. Nature: External conflict involving a character contending with natural elements.

General Conflict

Conflict is essentially the problems or challenges that characters encounter throughout a narrative.

Key Type of Internal Conflict

Character vs. Self: The primary form of internal conflict where the character grapples with personal issues or identity crises.

Description

Test your knowledge on internal and external conflicts with these flashcards. Learn the definitions, types, and key differences between these two fundamental concepts in literature. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of character struggles.