ENGLISH

ELEVENTH GRADE

Module 1 - Lesson 7

Conflict

Dramatic conflict is an absolute necessity in any form of storytelling. It posits the challenges and obstacles which the principal characters must confront, and details the means by which they overcome them (or in some cases, fail to overcome them). Without conflict, there is no story (nothing would happen). More importantly, without conflict, the characters themselves would not grow or change. Not only does conflict thus make for good storytelling, but it helps stories mirror the human condition, by which all of us grow and change as we move through life.

Literary experts have broken dramatic conflict down into several different types.

1. Man vs. Man

The simplest kind of storytelling conflict is man vs. man. One person sets out to achieve certain goals, while another person stands in his way.

2. Man vs. Nature

Man vs. nature (or man vs. God) posits a central character against the forces of the wilderness. He must survive in the woods, endure a shipwreck or otherwise confront the challenges of the natural world.

3. Man vs. Society

Men vs. society conflicts array the characters against large social conventions or traditions. A woman who struggles to be more than just a housewife, or a young man alienated by the hypocrisy of big business, are good examples of such a story.

4. Man vs. Himself

Perhaps the most potent form of storytelling conflict is a character confronting his own fears and weaknesses. A man struggling against his alcohol addiction or a king coming to grips with his own empty hubris are examples of this kind of conflict.

5. Combinations

Few works of literature focus solely on one sort of conflict, and the best combine numerous types into a single elegant package. For instance, Hamlet must kill his uncle (man vs. man) while silence his own doubts (man vs. himself) and bring change to the "unwedded garden" of Denmark's royalty (man vs. society).

Conflict

Test

I.                 Read then answer the questions that follow:

A Little Conflict
By Brenda B. Covert                    

¹     Think about your favorite story. Would you describe it as peaceful from beginning to end? Is it a series of calm events woven gently together? More likely it is an exciting adventure. What makes it exciting? Conflict!
²     In E. B. White's classic tale, Charlotte's Web, the conflict involves Wilbur the Pig's future. Will he become bacon on a breakfast plate? Will the spider's plan to save his life work? We keep turning the pages to find out what will happen next.
³     In Dr. Seuss' holiday favorite, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, the conflict revolves around the Grinch's hatred for a much-loved holiday. Will he ruin Christmas for the Whos down in Whoville? Can they stop him before it's too late?
⁴     Cinderella is full of conflict. A sweet and kind girl tries to please her spiteful stepmother and spoiled stepsisters. She wants to go to the ball but has nothing to wear and no way to get there. The prince finds and then loses his true love. Will Cinderella ever escape life as a maid? Will she find a way to get to the ball? Will the prince find her in spite of the stepmother's attempts to thwart him? Will they all live happily ever after?
⁵     In the Star Wars books, the conflict is between good and evil. Many, many stories have been written about the struggle between good and evil. It is a classic theme.
⁶     If you have ever read a story that seemed dull and pointless, it may have lacked conflict. A good story raises questions for the reader. Conflict makes the reader anxious to find out what happens next! The only way to find out is to keep reading!
⁷     Before you can add conflict to your own stories, you need to learn more about conflict. You may have included conflict before without realizing it. However, the more you know, the better your writing will become. Everyone can benefit from improving their writing skills.
⁸     There are five types of conflict. They are as follows:

⁹     Man versus Man is easy. Your characters can have trouble with family, friends, or strangers. With whom do you struggle – your parents, a sibling, a teacher, or perhaps a bully? You've probably had personal experience with this type of conflict. 
¹⁰     Man versus Society can be shown in a character having problems with a whole group of people, or who is an outcast, or who fights prejudice or unfair laws. When Darren began hanging out with an ex-con, the whole town turned against him.
¹¹     Man versus Himself is about the internal struggle of making a decision or choice. For example, if your character has a fear of large animals but dreams of being in a rodeo, then the conflict will involve overcoming that fear and chasing the dream.
¹²     Think of those disaster movies where the main character struggles to survive a burning building, a runaway bus, a shipwreck, an airplane crash, etc., and you have Man versus Nature. Alone in the wilderness with wolves closing in, how will Jordan survive?
¹³     Man versus Fate doesn't fit into any of the above. The conflict involves an unusual situation. The character has no control over what happens; nothing he does makes a difference. Tragedies are often created with this type of conflict. Although Kitzy enjoyed a healthy lifestyle, she was struck with a disease. She tried every possible treatment, but nothing cured her, and she grew weaker every day.

A.    Answer the following questions:

1.                Mention the types of conflicts.

2.                Describe each type of conflict.

3.                Write three examples for each type of conflict. Do not use the given ones.

Conflict

Test

A.

1.                 

a.      Man versus Man

b.      Man versus Society

c.      Man versus Himself

d.      Man versus Nature

e.      Man versus Fate

             2.  

a.      Man versus Man .The characters can have trouble with family, friends, or strangers.

b.       Man versus Society can be shown in a character having problems with a whole group of people, or who is an outcast, or who fights prejudice or unfair laws.

c.      Man versus Himself is about the internal struggle of making a decision or choice.

d.      Think of those disaster movies where the main character struggles to survive a burning building, a runaway bus, a shipwreck, an airplane crash, etc., and you have Man versus Nature.

e.      Man versus Fate doesn't fit into any of the above. The conflict involves an unusual situation. The character has no control over what happens; nothing he does makes a difference. Tragedies are often created with this type of conflict.

              3.     Answers will vary.

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