Internal conflicts are a common part of life, and they can occur within individuals, between individuals within a group, and even within a group itself. These conflicts may arise due to opposing values, beliefs, needs, or desires. Understanding the nature of internal conflicts and the various examples that illustrate them can provide valuable insights into human behavior and interpersonal dynamics. This article will explore several examples of internal conflicts, including cases of moral dilemmas, cognitive dissonance, intrapersonal conflicts, and group conflicts within organizations.
Crafting an Internal Conflict
An internal conflict is a struggle that takes place within a character’s mind, as opposed to an external conflict, which involves characters or forces outside the protagonist. Writing effective internal conflicts can add depth and complexity to your stories, making your characters more relatable and engaging.
Elements of an Internal Conflict
1. Inciting Incident: An event triggers the conflict, putting the character in a challenging situation.
2. Character Flaws/Values: The conflict arises from the clash between the character’s flaws (e.g., insecurity, pride) and their values (e.g., compassion, integrity).
3. Stakes: The consequences of the character’s actions (or inaction) are high, adding tension and urgency to the conflict.
4. Choices and Consequences: The character must make difficult choices, each with potential consequences that can impact the outcome of the conflict.
5. Resolution: Eventual resolution, either leading to character growth, reconciliation, or transformation.
Types of Internal Conflicts
- Moral vs. Practical: Character struggles with choosing between right and wrong or between personal gain and ethical principles.
- Belief vs. Desire: Character faces a conflict between their beliefs and their deep-seated desires.
- Identity Crisis: Character questions their self-perceptions, purpose, or place in the world.
- Fear vs. Courage: Character must confront their fears and find the courage to act despite them.
- Love vs. Duty: Character grapples with the conflict between their romantic desires and their responsibilities.
Structure for an Internal Conflict
1. Setup:
– Establish the character’s flaws, values, and inciting incident.
2. Rising Action:
– Character faces difficult choices with high stakes.
– Conflict intensifies as the character grapples with their internal struggle.
3. Climax:
– Character makes a pivotal decision that affects the outcome of the conflict.
4. Falling Action:
– Character experiences the consequences of their decision.
– Conflict begins to resolve.
5. Resolution:
– Character achieves growth, reconciliation, or transformation through the resolution of the conflict.
Example of an Internal Conflict Structure
| Stage | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Emily, a nurse, is torn between her duty to save lives and her fear of working in a pandemic hospital. | |
| Rising Action | Emily witnesses the suffering of patients and the sacrifices of her colleagues, which intensifies her conflict. | |
| Climax | Emily must choose between continuing her work or quitting to protect herself from the virus. | |
| Falling Action | Emily decides to stay and overcome her fear, learning empathy and resilience in the process. | |
| Resolution | Emily emerges as a more confident and compassionate nurse, having resolved her internal conflict. |
Question 1:
What is a common aspect of internal conflict in literature?
Answer:
Internal conflict is a struggle that occurs within a character’s mind, heart, or soul. It involves the protagonist wrestling with opposing desires, beliefs, or values.
Question 2:
What is a distinctive feature of internal conflict in drama?
Answer:
In drama, internal conflict is often expressed through soliloquies or asides, where the character reveals their inner thoughts and emotions directly to the audience, providing insights into their motivations and struggles.
Question 3:
What is a key element of internal conflict in film?
Answer:
In film, internal conflict is often conveyed through the use of flashbacks, dream sequences, or voiceovers, which delve into the character’s past experiences, fears, and aspirations, helping观众to understand the underlying sources of their struggle.
Hey, thanks for sticking with me through this little exploration of internal conflict. I hope it helped shed some light on this essential storytelling element. If you’re looking for more writing tips, feel free to hang around and check out some of my other posts. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned along the way. Until next time, keep crafting those compelling stories!