External conflict

Definition

External conflict refers to the struggle between a character and an outside force, such as another character, society, nature, or technology. This type of conflict is crucial in storytelling as it propels the plot forward and highlights the protagonist's challenges, often revealing their traits and motivations. Understanding external conflict is essential for analyzing character development and recognizing how structural elements and dramatic devices enhance storytelling.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. External conflicts can manifest in various forms, such as person vs. person, person vs. society, person vs. nature, or person vs. technology.
2. This type of conflict is often used to challenge the protagonist's beliefs and values, pushing them towards personal growth or transformation.
3. External conflict can also serve as a catalyst for action, motivating characters to make decisions that propel the plot forward.
4. The resolution of external conflicts often provides a climax to the story, offering satisfaction or closure to the audience.
5. In dramatic works, external conflicts are frequently depicted through dialogue and action, making them essential for understanding character interactions and narrative dynamics.

Review Questions

• How does external conflict shape a character's development throughout a narrative?
  • External conflict shapes a character's development by presenting challenges that force them to confront their beliefs and values. As characters navigate these struggles against outside forces, they often experience significant growth or change. This journey not only reveals their strengths and weaknesses but also allows the audience to connect with the characters on a deeper level as they overcome obstacles.
• Discuss the role of the antagonist in creating external conflict and how this impacts the overall story structure.
  • The antagonist plays a vital role in creating external conflict by opposing the protagonist's goals and desires. This opposition generates tension and drives the plot forward, as it forces the protagonist to take action. The dynamic between the protagonist and antagonist is crucial for developing a compelling narrative structure, providing a framework for conflict resolution that leads to climactic moments in the story.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of using various types of external conflict in enhancing dramatic tension within a story.
  • Using different types of external conflict can significantly enhance dramatic tension by diversifying the challenges faced by characters. For instance, integrating person vs. society conflicts alongside person vs. nature scenarios creates a multi-layered experience that keeps audiences engaged. Evaluating how these conflicts interplay allows for a richer narrative landscape where characters face not just physical challenges but also societal pressures and natural adversities, ultimately leading to more impactful storytelling.

Related terms

internal conflict: A psychological struggle within a character, where they face opposing desires or emotions, often leading to personal growth or change.

antagonist:

The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating external conflict and driving the narrative tension.

plot: The sequence of events that make up a story, which includes the introduction of conflicts, their development, and eventual resolution.