CONFLICTS

Conflicts

• The central issue that makes a story move along– Novel: multiple conflicts– Short story: one conflict (usually)

• Internal: inside character’s mind• External: man versus something besides

himself

Man Vs. Self

• INTERNAL• Central to character, must be resolved

by character alone• Struggle with one of following:

– Morality– Fate– Desire– Belief

DISNEY EXAMPLE: Should Ariel (Little Mermaid) leave her world for a man? Is it worth it?

Man Vs. Man

• EXTERNAL• Character struggles against

another character– Moral, religious, social

• Conflict can be emotional, verbal, or physical

DISNEY EXAMPLE: Woody vs. Buzz Lightyear; Peter Pan vs. Captain Hook

Man Vs. Nature

• EXTERNAL• Man finds himself at odds with

force of nature– Struck by lightening– Capsized boat– Hypothermia

MOVIE EXAMPLE: Castaway; Into the Wild; Mogli in The Jungle Book?

Man Vs. Society

• EXTERNAL• Man struggles against values of

culture/government– Battle vs. evil, oppressive culture

• Society = antagonist (a character in itself!)

DISNEY EXAMPLE: Brave (Merida doesn’t want to be a princess); Happy Feet (can’t sing, but can dance)

Man Vs. Fate

• EXTERNAL• Character is compelled to follow an

unknown destiny• Creates internal conflict (man vs.

self)

MOVIE EXAMPLE: Harry Potter as the chosen one. The Matrix (Neo). Any movie with a “prophecy.”

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