Final Exam Literary Terms - Conflict Flashcards
Definition of Conflict
The main problem that the character faces.
What are the Seven Different Types of Conflict?
- Character vs. Character (External)
- Character vs. Nature (External)
- Character vs. Society (External)
- Character vs. Technology (External)
- Character vs. Supernatural (External)
- Character vs. Fate (External/Internal)
- Character vs. Self (Internal)
What is Character vs. Nature?
Protagonist is against force of nature, such as an animal or the weather.
Ex: In Life of Pi, the protagonist must face a tiger trapped in the boat with him
What is Character vs. Society?
Protaginist is against
1. Tradition
2. Institution
3. Law
4. Other societal constructs
Ex: Atticus Finch opposed his racist community in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird
What is Character vs. Technology?
Science moves beyond human control
Ex: Humans and technology form complex partnerships where the dynamic continually shifts and changes (movies such as Star Wars or Iron Man)
What is Character vs. Supernatural
Typical supernatrual phenomena
(Vampires, werewolves, aliens, and ghosts)
Ex: Jurassic Park
What is Character vs. Fate
Protagonist’s battle against their own destiny/luck/God
Ex: Romeo & Juliet and Of Mice and Men - Fate Led to Tragedy
Sometimes aspects of it get split up and parsed out among the other categories. For example, since accepting fate can be seen as an inner personal struggle, some define it as Person vs. Self instead. Or some might reframe Person vs. God as being person against religion and, therefore, would put it in the external conflict type of Person vs. Society. The categories don’t really matter as long as you understand the concept.
What is Character vs. Self?
A character battling themselves in their mind, striving to simply become a better person.
Ex: Scout trying to fight people with her mind instead of her fists
