Conflict in literature

1. CONFLICTCONFLICT
ININ
LITERATURELITERATURE

2. PlotPlot
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of
a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions
within a story.

3. Exposition: the start of the story,
the situation before the action starts
Rising Action: the series of
conflicts and crisis in the story that
lead to the climax
Climax: the turning point, the
most intense moment—either
mentally or in action
Falling Action: all of the
action which follows the
climax
Resolution: the conclusion, the
tying together of all of the threads
Plot ComponentsPlot Components

4. Plot: ConflictPlot: Conflict
Conflict is the dramatic struggleConflict is the dramatic struggle
between two forces in a story.between two forces in a story.
Without conflict, there is no plot.Without conflict, there is no plot.

5. Conflicts can beConflicts can be
either….either….
EXTERNALEXTERNAL
OrOr
INTERNALINTERNAL

6. EXTERNAL CONFLICT involves aEXTERNAL CONFLICT involves a
struggle between a character andstruggle between a character and
a force outside of himself.a force outside of himself.
Society Nature Another
as a whole Character

7. INTERNAL CONFLICT is a struggle
between a character and something
within himself/herself. This could be
his/her conscience, fear, love or other
struggles of that source.

8. Group Work – Turn andGroup Work – Turn and
TalkTalk
Read the following excerpt from Saki’sRead the following excerpt from Saki’s
“The Interlopers”. Turn and talk with a“The Interlopers”. Turn and talk with a
partner and decide what kind ofpartner and decide what kind of
conflict is evident. What are someconflict is evident. What are some
solutions to this conflict?solutions to this conflict?

9. …a mass of falling beech tree had thundered
down on them. Ulrich Von Gradwitz found
himself stretched on the ground, one arm numb
beneath him and the other held almost as
helplessly in a tight tangle of forked branches,
while both legs were pinned beneath the fallen
mass. His heavy shooting boots had saved his
feet from being crushed to pieces, but if his
fractures were not as serious as they might
have been, at least it was evident that he could
not move from his present position till someone
came to release him…

10. WHAT TYPE OFWHAT TYPE OF
CONFLICT?CONFLICT?

11. External Conflict!External Conflict!
Man V. NatureMan V. Nature
1.1. What is nature as represented here?What is nature as represented here?
2.2. How can this struggle be resolved?How can this struggle be resolved?
3.3. What would your thoughts be at thisWhat would your thoughts be at this
time?time?

12. Group Work – Turn andGroup Work – Turn and
TalkTalk
Now read the following excerpt from
“The Most Dangerous Game.”
Again identify the conflict and
explain what kind of conflict it is.

13. Rainsford had fought his way through
the bush for two hours. “I must keep my
nerve. I must keep my nerve,” he said
through tight teeth.
He had not been entirely clear-headed
when the chateau gates snapped shut
behind him. His whole idea at first was to
put distance between himself and General
Zaroff, and, to this end, he had plunged
along, spurred on by the sharp rowels of
something very like panic.

14. WHAT TYPE OFWHAT TYPE OF
CONFLICT?CONFLICT?

15. Internal Conflict!Internal Conflict!
Man V. HimselfMan V. Himself
1.1. What is Rainsford fighting here?What is Rainsford fighting here?
2.2. What seems to have caused thisWhat seems to have caused this
conflict?conflict?

16. Sum UpSum Up
 There are three types of externalThere are three types of external
conflict: Man V. Man, Man V. Nature,conflict: Man V. Man, Man V. Nature,
and Man V. Societyand Man V. Society
 There is one type of internal conflict:There is one type of internal conflict:
Man vs. HimselfMan vs. Himself
 Conflict is ESSENTIAL to any storyConflict is ESSENTIAL to any story