Have you ever read a story where the characters seemed to face only internal struggles? While fascinating, these stories can sometimes feel incomplete. The truth is, compelling narratives thrive on conflict, and much of that stems from forces *outside* the character's own mind. External conflict, the struggle against an outside force, is the engine that drives plot, shapes character development, and keeps us glued to the page or screen.
Understanding external conflict is crucial for both analyzing and creating engaging stories. Whether it's a hero battling a villain, a community fighting a natural disaster, or an individual facing societal prejudice, these struggles highlight themes of resilience, justice, and the human condition. Recognizing the different types of external conflict allows us to appreciate the complexities of storytelling and the profound impact of external forces on individual lives.
What Are Some Common Examples of External Conflict?
What are some specific scenarios demonstrating what is an example of external conflict?
External conflict is a struggle between a character and an outside force, which could be another character, nature, or society. Examples include a protagonist battling a rival in a sports competition, a group of survivors fighting against a harsh blizzard, or an individual challenging an unjust law implemented by their government.
External conflict arises when a character's goals or desires are thwarted by something or someone external to themselves. This creates tension and propels the plot forward as the character attempts to overcome these obstacles. The external force can manifest in numerous ways, making the possibilities for conflict diverse and engaging. Consider, for instance, a lone climber battling a treacherous mountain, constantly challenged by icy conditions, avalanches, and dwindling supplies. This showcases a person-versus-nature scenario. Another illustration involves a character working tirelessly to expose corporate corruption, facing intimidation and threats from powerful individuals within the company. Here, the external conflict is person-versus-society, as the protagonist is up against a system of unethical practices and those who benefit from it. The stakes are often high in such conflicts, with the character risking personal safety and reputation to achieve their goal. The clash with societal norms or established power structures is a common and compelling type of external conflict.How does the environment create what is an example of external conflict?
The environment can create external conflict when characters are pitted against forces of nature or the limitations and dangers inherent in their surroundings. A classic example is a protagonist struggling to survive a harsh blizzard, where the external conflict arises from the character's need to find shelter, procure food, and combat the elements to avoid succumbing to the cold and potentially fatal conditions.
The environment, in its broadest sense, encompasses not only weather phenomena like blizzards, hurricanes, droughts, and floods, but also geographical features like mountains, deserts, oceans, and jungles. Each of these presents unique challenges that can generate external conflict. A character stranded on a deserted island, for instance, faces a constant battle against the elements for survival. They must find or build shelter, locate a source of fresh water, hunt or gather food, and protect themselves from predators. The inherent dangers of the island environment, such as poisonous plants, venomous creatures, and unpredictable tides, all contribute to the external conflict. Furthermore, the environment can also represent a scarcity of resources, leading to conflict between characters or groups competing for survival. Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where water is scarce. Different factions might engage in violent clashes to control access to the last remaining sources, creating a stark example of environment-driven external conflict. The need to secure essential resources within a hostile or depleted environment fuels the tension and action in the story. This can extend to broader societal collapses based on environmental events, such as climate change-induced resource wars. The environment, in essence, becomes a character in itself, actively shaping the narrative and driving the conflict.Is a natural disaster what is an example of external conflict?
Yes, a natural disaster is a strong example of external conflict. External conflict, in literature and storytelling, refers to a struggle between a character and an outside force. A natural disaster, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or wildfire, represents a powerful and often uncontrollable force of nature that characters must directly confront and overcome, fitting the definition perfectly.
The conflict arises because the characters' well-being, survival, or goals are directly threatened by the natural event. They might be battling the elements to find shelter, protect their loved ones, or rebuild their lives in the aftermath. The disaster creates obstacles that the characters must actively work to resolve, whether it's escaping a flood, searching for resources after an earthquake, or fighting to contain a spreading fire. The power of the natural disaster as an external conflict lies in its ability to challenge characters physically, emotionally, and morally, forcing them to make difficult choices and test their resilience. Consider a story where a family lives in a coastal town. A hurricane hits, flooding their home and destroying their community. Their external conflict is not only with the storm itself – the wind, the rain, the rising waters – but also with the subsequent lack of resources, the dangers of a damaged environment, and the struggle to find help and rebuild their lives. This represents a tangible, impactful, and undeniable external force impacting the characters' existence and driving the narrative.Can conflicting societal norms be what is an example of external conflict?
Yes, conflicting societal norms are a prime example of external conflict. External conflict arises when a character struggles against an outside force, and societal norms, when contradictory or oppressive, definitely qualify as such an external force.
When an individual's beliefs or actions clash with the prevailing customs, laws, or expectations of their community, they experience external conflict. This conflict can manifest in various ways, from subtle social ostracization to outright legal battles. Consider a character who advocates for gender equality in a deeply patriarchal society. Their progressive views directly challenge the established norms, creating tension not only between the character and individual members of that society, but also with the institutions and power structures that uphold those norms. The character faces resistance, discrimination, and potentially even violence because their behavior deviates from what is considered acceptable within that particular social context. Societal norms can also create external conflict between different groups within a society. For example, differing opinions on immigration policies or religious practices can lead to significant clashes between communities. Furthermore, evolving societal norms can create conflict between generations, as younger generations embrace new ideas and values that clash with the more traditional perspectives of their elders. These instances highlight how conflicting societal expectations can serve as a significant source of external conflict, shaping characters' actions and driving the narrative forward.How does what is an example of external conflict advance a story's plot?
External conflict, a struggle between a character and an outside force, is a crucial engine for plot advancement because it creates obstacles that the protagonist must overcome. These obstacles force the character to make choices and take actions, driving the narrative forward and revealing character traits. The rising action builds upon these conflicts, escalating the stakes and ultimately leading to a climax where the primary conflict is resolved (or not), shaping the story's resolution and thematic message.
External conflicts manifest in various forms, each contributing to the story's development. A character might battle nature in a survival story, facing storms, starvation, or dangerous wildlife. In a crime thriller, the protagonist might be in constant conflict with an antagonist, each move and countermove advancing the plot. Social conflicts, such as prejudice or political oppression, can pit a character against societal norms or institutions, prompting them to fight for justice or survival. Even conflicts involving technology, like a malfunctioning AI, can raise questions about humanity and progress, enriching the plot's thematic depth. Consider a simple example: a character stranded in a desert. The external conflict is the harsh environment (lack of water, scorching sun). This conflict immediately forces the character to search for water, ration supplies, and build shelter – actions that form the backbone of the plot. Their success or failure in these endeavors determines their fate and ultimately dictates the direction the story takes. The challenges encountered reveal their resilience, ingenuity, or perhaps their flaws, developing them as a character alongside the narrative. Without the initial external conflict, the character would simply remain in the desert, and there would be no story to tell.What distinguishes what is an example of external conflict from internal conflict?
The core difference between external and internal conflict lies in the location of the struggle. External conflict involves a character grappling with forces outside themselves, such as other characters, nature, society, or supernatural elements. Conversely, internal conflict is a psychological struggle occurring within a character's mind, often involving conflicting emotions, values, or desires.
External conflicts are readily observable in a narrative. We *see* the character interacting with these outside forces. A fight with a bully, surviving a storm, navigating oppressive societal norms, or battling a monster are all clear examples. The character's actions and the consequences they face directly result from this external opposition. The focus is on the obstacles presented by the external world and the character's attempt to overcome them. These obstacles provide plot points and drive the narrative forward through visible action and reaction. Internal conflict, however, is far more subtle and often revealed through a character’s thoughts, feelings, and dialogue. Examples include a character struggling with guilt over a past action, battling indecision between two desirable but mutually exclusive goals, or wrestling with conflicting moral principles. While external conflicts might involve physical confrontations or tangible challenges, internal conflicts manifest as emotional turmoil, self-doubt, or moral dilemmas. The character's inner struggle influences their decisions and shapes their arc, leading to personal growth or decline.What are some different types of what is an example of external conflict?
External conflict involves a character struggling against an outside force. A classic example is a character fighting against nature, such as surviving a blizzard or being stranded in a desert. Other types include character vs. character, where two individuals clash; character vs. society, where a character rebels against societal norms or laws; and character vs. technology, where a character struggles against machines or artificial intelligence.
Delving deeper, character vs. character conflicts are often the most immediately relatable. Think of a sibling rivalry that escalates, a legal battle between two corporations, or a physical fight between rivals. These conflicts are driven by opposing goals, differing personalities, or competition for resources or power. The tension stems from the direct opposition of wills and actions between the individuals involved.
Character vs. society conflicts often explore themes of justice, oppression, and individual freedom. A character might challenge unjust laws, fight for social change, or resist conformity. These narratives can highlight the power dynamics between individuals and the collective, and the sacrifices a person might make to stand up for their beliefs. A good example of this would be someone participating in a civil rights march, or a whistleblower exposing corporate corruption.
So there you have it! Hopefully, that gives you a clearer idea of what external conflict is all about. Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to come back again soon for more writing tips and explanations!