External Conflict

Definition

External conflict refers to the struggle between a character and an outside force, such as another character, society, nature, or a situation. It creates tension and drives the narrative forward by presenting obstacles that characters must confront. This type of conflict plays a crucial role in developing the plot and can significantly influence character development and audience engagement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. External conflict can manifest in various forms, including person vs. person, person vs. society, person vs. nature, or person vs. technology.
2. This type of conflict is essential for building suspense and engaging the audience, as they root for the character facing external challenges.
3. The resolution of external conflict often leads to significant changes in the character’s circumstances or their perspective on life.
4. External conflict is crucial for developing subplots, which often arise from the main conflict but provide additional layers to the story.
5. Effective use of external conflict helps to illustrate themes within a story, such as survival, justice, or morality.

Review Questions

• How does external conflict influence character development throughout a narrative?
  • External conflict plays a vital role in character development as it forces characters to face challenges that reveal their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. For instance, when a protagonist encounters obstacles created by an antagonist or societal expectations, their responses can showcase growth or regression. This struggle can lead to pivotal moments of self-discovery and transformation, ultimately shaping who they become by the end of the story.
• In what ways can external conflict enhance the storytelling process in television writing?
  • External conflict enhances storytelling by creating stakes that captivate the audience’s attention and evoke emotional responses. It propels the plot forward through actions and reactions of characters facing formidable challenges. Furthermore, well-crafted external conflicts can lead to engaging dialogue and interactions that reveal character voice while also allowing for deeper exploration of themes and subplots, enriching the overall narrative experience.
• Evaluate how external conflict interacts with backstory and motivation to impact a character’s journey in a series.
  • External conflict interacts with backstory and motivation by providing context for a character's actions and decisions throughout their journey. A character's past experiences shape how they react to outside forces, influencing their motivations and desires. For example, if a character has faced societal rejection due to their identity, their external conflicts may center around seeking acceptance or fighting against prejudice. This interplay between their history and present challenges deepens audience investment in their journey while making their struggles more relatable.

Related terms

Internal Conflict: A psychological struggle within a character, often involving emotions or decisions that create tension in their personal journey.

Protagonist:

The main character in a story who faces challenges and conflicts, driving the narrative and audience's emotional connection.

Antagonist: A character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and often serving as the primary obstacle in the storyline.