LIT - External and Internal Conflict

It can take place between _______ (4)

• two men

• the character and his psychology

• the character and circumstances

• the character and society

Types of Conflict

External Conflict

Internal Conflict

External Conflict

any conflict occurring between the protagonist and an outside force.

focuses on the protagonist’s mission to defeat the external force, the climax between the two opposing sides,

Types of External Conflict

Man vs Man

Man vs Society

Man vs Nature

Man vs Technology

Man vs Supernatural

Character vs Fate

Internal Conflict

emerges when a character’s goals and desires clash with some personal value or beliefs.

For instance, a character might want to trust a new lover but struggles to do so after being betrayed in the past. Or, in a fantasy setting, they might grapple with the decision to use forbidden magic to save their family from exile.

Types of Internal Conflict

Moral Choice

Life Decision

Personal Fear

Limiting Belief

Contradictory Attributes

Man vs Man

pitting two individuals against each other

Man vs Society

the protagonist is at odds with larger social forces — laws, cultural expectations, or deeply ingrained beliefs

Man vs Nature

the raw forces of the natural world — weather, wilderness, or any natural element that’s beyond human control

Man vs Technology

the invention of a new technology can become a powerful tool… or turn into a formidable adversary.

Man vs Supernatural

eyond human understanding — ghosts, demons, or mythological entities

Character vs Fate

arises when characters wrestle with predetermined outcomes or prophecies that dictate their futures.

Think of Neo in The Matrix, destined to be “The One,” or Katniss Everdeen, becoming the face of the rebellion against The Capitol

Moral Choice

character faces a choice that challenges their ideas of right and wrong, but neither option is straightforward or free from painful consequences.

Life Decision

is placing them at a crossroads where their choice will significantly shape their future.

eg: comfort versus ambition or personal desires versus duty

Personal Fear

anxieties or phobias rooted in past trauma or self-doubt can serve as an “inner antagonist,” challenging the character’s resolve

Limiting Belief

is a conviction that convinces your character they are unworthy or incapable of achieving their goals, often stemming from rough upbringings, cultural pressures, or past failures.

Contradictory Attributes

emerge when a character embodies opposing traits or desires, creating tension and complexity in their internal landscape.