Types of Conflict
In Mythology and everything else you will
ever read : )
What is conflict? Why is conflict important
to myths and other stories?
● The conflict is the main problem that the
characters have to solve throughout the
story.
● Without a conflict, there would be no plot,
and therefore, no story!
Conflicts can be divided into 2 big
categories:
External Conflict: Occurs between a character
and something outside of the character
Internal Conflict: Occurs within the
character--involving the character’s thoughts
and emotions.
External Conflict:
Character vs. Character:
● A character struggles with another
character in the story
(good guy vs. bad guy; hero vs. villain, etc)
Examples: Katniss vs. President Snow; Superman vs. Lex Luthor;
Batman vs. Joker; Sherlock vs. Moriarty; Harry Potter vs. Voldemort; Luke vs.
Darth Vader; Simba vs. Scar
External Conflict:
Character vs. Nature:
● A character struggles with natural forces
outside of his/her control (natural disasters;
animals; etc) Usually the character is
struggling to survive.
Examples: Jaws; Twister; A Perfect Storm;
Everest; Sharknado
External Conflict:
Character vs. Society:
● A character struggles against the rules or
laws of his/her society. The character
struggles to gain freedom or acceptance
from his/her society or to change the way
society functions.
Examples: Katniss vs. The Capitol; Tris vs. her society;
Rebel Alliance vs. Galactic Empire
Internal Conflict:
Character vs. Him/herself:
● The character struggles with his/her thoughts and
emotions.
● Often the character has to make a difficult decision
(choose between right and wrong); or, the character is
struggling to define his/her identity.
Examples: Simba; Aladdin
REVIEW:
Be on the lookout for multiple conflicts in
every story...
Take the Little Mermaid for instance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcPIVl6Glro
Stop and write:
Think about the kinds of books you like to read,
and/or the TV shows or movies you like to
watch.
Which kinds of conflicts do you find most
interesting? Why?