Internal Conflict

Definition

Internal conflict refers to a psychological struggle within a character, often involving competing desires, emotions, or beliefs. This conflict can drive the character's development and impact the overall narrative, as it can affect their decisions, relationships, and actions throughout the story.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal conflict can manifest as feelings of guilt, fear, doubt, or moral dilemmas that challenge a character's values.
2. This type of conflict is crucial for character development, as it reveals deeper layers of a character’s personality and beliefs.
3. Writers often use internal conflict to create tension and engage readers by making them empathize with the character's struggles.
4. Characters experiencing internal conflict can lead to pivotal plot moments, as their decisions may lead to significant changes in the storyline.
5. In plays, internal conflict is often portrayed through monologues or soliloquies, allowing the audience to understand the character’s inner turmoil.

Review Questions

• How does internal conflict influence a character's development throughout a story?
  • Internal conflict plays a significant role in shaping a character's development by forcing them to confront their emotions, beliefs, and desires. As characters struggle with their internal conflicts, they undergo growth or change, which can lead to new understandings of themselves and their relationships with others. This ongoing struggle can be a driving force in the narrative, propelling the character toward key decisions that ultimately shape their journey.
• In what ways can internal conflict serve as a tool for enhancing themes within a narrative?
  • Internal conflict serves as an effective tool for enhancing themes by reflecting the complexities of human nature and moral dilemmas. When characters grapple with conflicting values or desires, it allows writers to explore larger ideas such as identity, redemption, or sacrifice. By showcasing these struggles through internal conflict, the narrative can delve deeper into its themes, encouraging readers to engage with and reflect on these universal issues.
• Evaluate the significance of internal conflict in relation to plot development and pacing in storytelling.
  • Internal conflict is crucial for plot development and pacing because it creates tension and drives the story forward. When characters face inner struggles, it introduces complications that impact their actions and decisions, ultimately leading to critical turning points in the narrative. The resolution of these conflicts can dictate the pacing of the story—whether it builds suspense or provides moments of catharsis—making it essential for maintaining reader engagement and delivering a satisfying narrative arc.

Related terms

Character Motivation:

The reasons or goals that drive a character to act in certain ways, often linked to their internal conflicts.

Resolution:

The point in the narrative where the internal conflict is addressed or resolved, leading to character growth or change.

Theme: The central ideas or messages in a story, often reflected through characters' internal conflicts and their journeys.