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PowerPoint Document Version
EILAND'S ONLINE ENGLISH CLASSES
CONFLICT
- The primary "problem" or dilemma a character may have
- Often the focus of both Escapist and Interpretive Literature
- Person vs. Person
- Person vs. Nature
- Person vs. Natural Elements
- Person vs. Person-made Elements
- Person vs. Society
- Person vs. Self
Person VS. Person
- Conflict between two characters
- Usually the major overt focus of a plot
- Least important and most easily identifiable of the conflicts
- Sometimes symbolic of deeper ironies
Person VS. Nature
- Multiple conflicts concerning an individual in conflict with either more than one person or non-human elements. Character is in conflict with setting: society or the environment
- Character versus society: ideals or behavior of one versus the ideals of a group
- Character versus environment: struggle to survive forces of nature (weather, disease, fate) or Person-made environments (big city, locked room)
- Often symbolic
Person VS. Self
- Person divided internally over feelings about a situation...ambivalence
- Usually the most important of the conflicts.
- Often symbolized by other conflicts (i.e. Person vs. Person or nature)
- You must explain two sides of internal dilemma
- Often the focal point of character's experience
- Can be useful in drawing out other thematic aspects
- Often symbolic or ironic in nature
- Be sure to clearly label the conflict to which you refer
SETTING
- Merely the TIME and PLACE a work takes place
- Reflects attitude or ideals of characters
- Reflects the plot twists
- Reflects author's feelings about situation
- May reflect conflict as well
- Often symbolic in nature
© T. T. Eiland, 1998-2018
Last modified: April 8, 2018
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