Four Major Types of Conflict:
By observing the
manner in which a character resolves or doesn’t resolve a conflict, one can
gain insight into the character’s qualities, values, and personality. There are
four main types of conflict; there are always two sides to a conflict, which
usually brings about change. As
readers, we must be aware that both sides of the conflict must be identified
and understood.
Also called man versus (vs.) ____________
However, a conflict between two people is not always openly
hostile. For example, in Crime and
Punishment, the young murderer Raskolnikov and the police investigator
Porfiry engage in a psychological conflict, a battle of wits.
Also called man versus (vs.)
____________
Man Versus (vs.) ____________
Also called man versus (vs.)
____________
Conflict:
Definition (reworded): The conflict is the tension or opposition between forces in the plot which is used to interest readers so they continue to read the story.
There are four main types of conflict:
1. Character vs. Character(s)-à if the conflict is against a person, nature, or society, then this means the conflict is between the character and someone/something else
2. Character vs. Nature
3. Character vs. Society
4. Character vs. Self ---à this conflict means: Internal Conflict: in the character’s mind
Complete the following chart (one of each type of conflict):
Type of Conflict |
Movie Example |
Internal or External |
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In order to understand conflict even better, one must have a thorough understanding key character terms.
v Protagonist: The protagonist is the
main character in a literary work. He
or she is usually seen as good, upright, respectable, and always attempting to
take the proper course of action.
However, the protagonist is not always good. For example, in Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff, a brooding
and vengeful man, is the protagonist.
This, the protagonist is a central character, regardless of whether he
or she is good or bad.
N. B. * Some literary works may involve an animal protagonist, such as
Buck in Call of the Wild, or the animal characters in folk tales or
fables.
v Anti-Hero:
Where the protagonist is flawed, or dominated by negative traits or
questionable behavior, he or she is called an “anti-hero.” The term “snit-hero” does not, however, mean
that the central character stands in opposition to an actual hero in the story
or novel. Rather, it means that the
central character stands in opposition to the traditional idea of a hero.
v Antagonist: The antagonist in a
literary work stands in opposition to the protagonist. In most novels, the protagonists and
antagonists will be clearly distinct and remain consistent. In general, the
antagonist will be viewed as bad, wicked, or malicious. Even if dominated by negative traits,
however, the antagonist can be just as significant and complex a character as
the protagonist.