Literary Terms
Conflict
Conflict: A struggle or problem
External Conflict: A struggle between two
characters or outside
forces.
Different types of
external conflict: man vs. man
man vs. nature
man vs. society
man vs. machine
Internal Conflict:
A struggle within a
character's own mind. This type of conflict is
commonly called:
man vs. self
Man vs. Man
This type of conflict pits one character against another
character.
This can be a verbal argument or can be a physical
altercation. Man vs. Nature
A character finds himself pitted against the forces of nature.
The narrative may become a disaster or survival story; it may
also feature the character striving to conquer and defeat
nature.
Forces of nature include: tornado, hurricane, earthquake
Man vs. Society
A struggle against
society occurs when a
character is at odds with
a particular social force
or condition produced by
society, such as poverty,
political revolution, a
social convention, or set
of values.
Man vs. Self
A struggle a character is having in his or her own
mind.
Examples include: making a decision, a moral
dilemma, dealing with one's temper
Name the Conflict:
Scenario:
1. Steve is struggling to find a
job after serving a five-year jail
sentence for being an accessory
to an armed robbery.
2. Gerald's life is being made
miserable by his abusive, hottempered stepfather.
3. Maleekais ashamed by the
darkness of her skin. She views
herself as a freak and an outcast.
1. man vs. society
2. man vs. man
3. man vs. self
Name the type(s) of conflict in this movie clip
Name the type(s) of conflict in this movie clip
Name the type(s) of conflict in this movie clip
Name the type(s) of conflict in the movie clip
Construct a poster that includes the following information
Man vs. Self
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society
Internal or External? Internal or External? Internal or External? Internal or External?
Definition:
Definition:
Definition:
Definition:
Real world
examples/scenarios:
Real world
examples/scenarios:
Real world
examples/scenarios:
Real world
examples/scenarios:
Type of conflict in
movie clip:
Type of conflict in
movie clip:
Type of conflict in
movie clip:
Type of conflict in
movie clip:
Examples from The
Contender:
Examples from The
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Examples from The
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Examples from The
Contender: