Internal conflict

Definition

Internal conflict refers to a psychological struggle within a character, often involving opposing desires, emotions, or beliefs. This type of conflict is crucial in storytelling as it adds depth to characters and enhances the narrative by showcasing their struggles and growth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal conflict often drives a character's development and can lead to significant change by the story's conclusion.
2. This type of conflict allows readers to connect with characters on a deeper emotional level, as they witness their struggles and decisions.
3. Writers use internal conflict to explore complex themes such as identity, morality, and personal growth.
4. A well-developed internal conflict can make a story more engaging by creating tension and uncertainty about a character's choices.
5. Internal conflicts can manifest in various ways, including guilt, fear, indecision, or conflicting loyalties, providing multiple layers of complexity.

Review Questions

• How does internal conflict enhance characterization in a narrative?
  • Internal conflict enhances characterization by revealing the complexities of a character's personality and emotions. When characters face inner struggles, it shows their vulnerabilities, making them more relatable to readers. This struggle often drives their decisions and actions throughout the story, providing insight into their motivations and growth. As characters confront their internal conflicts, it allows for deeper exploration of their traits and contributes to a more dynamic narrative.
• Discuss the relationship between internal conflict and theme in storytelling.
  • Internal conflict plays a significant role in developing themes within a story. As characters grapple with their internal struggles, they often confront broader issues related to identity, morality, or personal beliefs. These conflicts can highlight the central theme by showcasing how characters evolve in response to their challenges. For example, a character wrestling with guilt may illustrate themes of redemption or forgiveness, thus deepening the reader's understanding of the narrative's message.
• Evaluate how internal conflict can be used to create tension and suspense in a narrative.
  • Internal conflict can be a powerful tool for creating tension and suspense in a narrative. When characters face dilemmas between competing desires or beliefs, it generates uncertainty about their choices and actions. This unpredictability keeps readers engaged as they anticipate how these conflicts will resolve. Additionally, as the stakes rise with each decision made by the character grappling with internal conflict, it enhances the emotional intensity of the story, making readers more invested in the outcome.

Related terms

Characterization:

The process of creating and developing a character's personality, traits, and motivations within a story.

Motivation: The reasons behind a character's actions and decisions, often tied to their internal conflicts and desires.

Theme: The central idea or underlying message in a story, which can be highlighted through characters' internal conflicts.