The 7 Types of Conflict in Literature: Definition, Purpose and Examples

Conflict is a central element in literature, driving stories forward and revealing the struggles that characters face. It creates tension, builds drama, and keeps readers engaged by highlighting challenges and decisions. There are various types of conflict in literature, each adding unique depth to a narrative. These conflicts can occur between characters, within a character’s mind, or between individuals and forces like society, nature, or technology. They shape the plot and offer readers a deeper understanding of human emotions, motivations, and relationships.

From battles of will to moral dilemmas, conflicts make stories relatable and thought-provoking. Understanding the types of conflict in literature helps readers recognize the underlying struggles that give stories their impact and meaning. This guide looks at the key types of conflict in literature, offering examples and insights into how these conflicts enrich storytelling and captivate audiences.

What is Conflict in Literature?

Conflict in literature refers to the struggle or opposition that drives a story forward. It is the central problem or challenge that characters must face and overcome, creating tension and engaging the reader. Conflict can occur within a character, between characters, or between a character and external forces such as society, nature, or fate. It is essential to the plot, as it shapes the narrative and gives the story purpose. Without conflict, a story lacks momentum and emotional impact.

There are two main categories of conflict: internal and external. Internal conflict happens within a character’s mind, such as struggles with emotions, desires, or moral dilemmas. External conflict involves outside forces, like rivalries, societal pressures, or natural disasters. Both types work together to create compelling stories, revealing the characters’ motivations, weaknesses, and growth. Recognizing and understanding conflict helps readers appreciate the depth and meaning behind literary works.

The Role of Conflict in Literature

Conflict is the very heartbeat of literature. Without it, stories would be stagnant, characters would be flat, and themes would lack the necessary tension to resonate with readers. It’s the engine that drives plot, reveals character, and explores complex themes. Here’s a breakdown of the crucial role conflict plays in literature:

1. Driving the Plot:

• Creating Tension: Conflict immediately creates tension, making the reader wonder what will happen next. This tension is what keeps us turning the pages. Whether it’s a battle, a disagreement, or an internal struggle, the presence of conflict raises the stakes and compels the story forward.
• Inciting Incident: Often, a conflict serves as the inciting incident, the event that kicks off the main action of the narrative. It disrupts the initial balance and sets the protagonist on their journey.
• Rising Action: As the plot progresses, conflicts often escalate and become more complex, building towards a climax. This rising action is fueled by the continuous challenges and obstacles faced by the characters.
• Climax and Resolution: The climax typically involves the peak of the central conflict, where the protagonist confronts the challenge head-on. The resolution, or falling action, follows, showing the consequences of the conflict and the new equilibrium achieved (or not achieved).

2. Revealing Character:

• Showing True Nature: Conflict forces characters to make choices under pressure, revealing their values, flaws, strengths, and weaknesses. We learn more about who they really are by how they react to challenges and adversity.
• Development and Growth: Characters often undergo significant changes as a result of navigating conflict. These changes can be positive or negative, showcasing their capacity for growth or their tragic flaws.
• Motivation and Goals: Conflicts often reveal a character’s motivations and goals. What are they fighting for? What are they willing to sacrifice? The answers to these questions are often illuminated through their actions in the face of conflict.

3. Exploring Themes:

• Moral Dilemmas: Conflicts often present characters with difficult moral dilemmas, forcing them to grapple with complex ethical questions. These dilemmas allow authors to explore important themes like justice, loyalty, betrayal, and the nature of good and evil.
• Social Commentary: Conflicts can reflect societal issues and injustices, allowing authors to offer critiques of the world around them. For example, conflict between social classes can highlight issues of inequality, while political conflicts can explore the abuse of power.
• Human Nature: Conflict often explores the complexities of human nature. The ways in which characters interact, compete, and struggle with each other reveal fundamental aspects of the human condition.

The 7 Types of Conflict in Literature

1. Person vs. Person (External Conflict)

• Definition: This is the most readily recognized form of conflict, pitting one character directly against another. It’s a clash of wills, desires, or goals. This conflict can manifest in various ways:
  • Physical: A fight, duel, or any kind of physical struggle.
  • Verbal: Arguments, insults, disagreements, and heated debates.
  • Psychological: Manipulation, intimidation, or emotional abuse.
  • Ideological: A conflict of beliefs, values, or political views.
• Purpose:
  • Creates immediate tension and drama. It allows for high-stakes situations and emotional reactions.
  • Reveals characters’ strengths and weaknesses. How characters interact with and challenge each other speaks volumes about their personalities and motivations.
  • Drives the plot forward. The conflict between characters often sets the narrative in motion and dictates its trajectory.
• Examples:
  • Romeo and Juliet: The feud between the Montagues and Capulets fuels the central conflict, directly affecting Romeo and Juliet’s lives.
  • Harry Potter series: The constant battle between Harry and Voldemort is a prime example of person vs. person conflict, shaping the entire series.
  • Pride and Prejudice: The initial conflict between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, rooted in misunderstandings and social prejudices, forms a central thread of the novel.

2. Person vs. Self (Internal Conflict)

• Definition: This conflict occurs within a single character’s mind. It’s a battle against their own thoughts, feelings, impulses, or moral compass. It can involve:
  • Moral Dilemmas: A struggle to decide between right and wrong.
  • Emotional Turmoil: Battling anxiety, grief, depression, or anger.
  • Internalized Conflicts: Grappling with insecurities, self-doubt, or personal demons.
  • Conflicting Desires: Wanting two opposing things and having to choose.
• Purpose:
  • Provides depth and complexity to characters. It shows their vulnerabilities and internal struggles, making them more relatable and realistic.
  • Drives character development and growth. The internal conflict forces characters to confront their flaws and make choices that shape them.
  • Explores universal human struggles. Internal conflict often reflects the common battles we all face within ourselves.
• Examples:
  • Hamlet: Hamlet’s constant indecision and internal debate over whether to avenge his father’s death represent a classic internal conflict.
  • Macbeth: Macbeth’s ambition warring with his guilt and conscience is a key example of internal conflict leading to tragedy.
  • The Catcher in the Rye: Holden Caulfield’s internal struggles with grief, alienation, and his own identity drive the narrative.

3. Person vs. Nature (External Conflict)

• Definition: This involves a character or group of characters struggling against the forces of nature. This can include:
  • Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, blizzards.
  • Extreme Environments: Surviving in deserts, mountains, or jungles.
  • Predatory Animals: Battling dangerous creatures for survival.
  • Diseases and Epidemics: Fighting off plagues or infections.
• Purpose:
  • Highlights the fragility of human existence. It shows how powerless humans can be in the face of nature’s power.
  • Tests a character’s resilience and resourcefulness. It forces characters to adapt and survive in challenging circumstances.
  • Explores the relationship between humans and the natural world. It can raise questions about environmental responsibility and our place in the ecosystem.
• Examples:
  • The Old Man and the Sea: Santiago’s struggle against the marlin and the elements represents a man’s battle with nature and his own limitations.
  • Into the Wild: Chris McCandless’s journey into the Alaskan wilderness and his ultimately tragic demise showcases the dangers of facing nature unprepared.
  • Life of Pi: Pi’s struggle for survival on a lifeboat with a tiger highlights the brutal and unpredictable power of the natural world.

4. Person vs. Society (External Conflict)

• Definition: This occurs when a character clashes with societal norms, expectations, laws, or traditions. This can manifest as:
  • Social Injustice: Fighting against prejudice, discrimination, or inequality.
  • Political Oppression: Resisting tyrannical governments or oppressive regimes.
  • Rebellion: Challenging established rules or systems of power.
  • Cultural Differences: Clashing with the values or beliefs of a dominant culture.
• Purpose:
  • Critiques societal flaws and injustices. It allows authors to expose the problems within their own societies.
  • Explores themes of conformity vs. individuality. It highlights the struggles of those who do not fit into prescribed social roles.
  • Examines power structures and their impact on individuals. It shows how social forces can shape and limit human potential.
• Examples:
  • To Kill a Mockingbird: Atticus Finch’s defense of Tom Robinson, a black man unjustly accused of rape, represents a struggle against racial prejudice and societal injustice.
  • Fahrenheit 451: Guy Montag’s rebellion against a dystopian society that bans books exemplifies a clash between an individual and an oppressive system.
  • The Handmaid’s Tale: Offred’s struggle against the theocratic regime of Gilead showcases the oppression of women and the fight for individual freedom.

5. Person vs. Technology (External Conflict)

• Definition: This involves a character battling against technology or its negative consequences. It often explores:
  • The dangers of unchecked technological advancement.
  • The dehumanizing effects of technology.
  • The dependence on technology and its potential pitfalls.
  • The conflict between humanity and artificial intelligence.
• Purpose:
  • Raises questions about the future of humanity and technology.
  • Critiques our reliance on and potential enslavement by technology.
  • Explores ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence and automation.
• Examples:
  • Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein’s creation turns against him, highlighting the dangers of playing God and the unintended consequences of technological ambition.
  • The Terminator: Sarah Connor’s fight against a relentless, technologically advanced killing machine showcases the potential for technology to become a destructive force.
  • 1984: The citizens of Oceania struggle against the constant surveillance and manipulation of technology wielded by the totalitarian government.

6. Person vs. Fate/Supernatural (External Conflict)

• Definition: This conflict involves a character battling against forces that seem beyond their control, such as:
  • Destiny or predestination.
  • Gods, demons, or other supernatural beings.
  • Unexplained or mysterious forces.
  • Curses, prophecies, or magical powers.
• Purpose:
  • Explores the concepts of free will and determinism.
  • Investigates the nature of good and evil.
  • Raises questions about the existence and power of forces beyond human comprehension.
• Examples:
  • Oedipus Rex: Oedipus’s tragic fate is sealed by a prophecy that he unknowingly fulfills, showcasing the power of fate.
  • Macbeth: The prophecies of the witches greatly influence Macbeth’s actions, leading him down a destructive path.
  • The Odyssey: Odysseus’s long and perilous journey is fraught with encounters with gods and monsters, highlighting the challenges of battling supernatural forces.

7. Person vs. The Unknown (External/Internal)

• Definition: This is a more complex type of conflict that deals with the fear of the unknown, the unseen, or the unexplained. It can be both external and internal:
  • External: Facing the unknown in the world (e.g., exploring uncharted territory, encountering strange phenomena).
  • Internal: Battling the anxieties, doubts, and fears that stem from the inability to understand or comprehend the world around them (e.g., existential dread, the fear of death).
• Purpose:
  • Highlights the limitations of human understanding.
  • Explores the fundamental questions of existence and meaning.
  • Creates suspense and mystery.
• Examples:
  • Heart of Darkness: Marlow’s journey into the unknown heart of Africa exposes the darkness within humanity and the unsettling mystery of the unexplored.
  • The Call of Cthulhu: The story explores the fear and dread of cosmic horror, encountering beings and forces beyond human comprehension.
  • Many horror stories: These often deal with the fear of the unseen, the unknown monsters and horrors lurking in the shadows.

How to Identify Conflict in Literature

1. Pay Attention to Character Interactions:

• Direct Clashes: Look for obvious disagreements, arguments, fights, and power struggles between characters. Are characters openly opposing each other’s goals, desires, or beliefs?
• Subtle Disagreements: Sometimes conflict isn’t overt. Look for underlying tension, passive-aggressive behavior, or subtle manipulations that reveal a strained relationship.
• Alliances and Oppositions: Note which characters are allied and which are in opposition. This can help you understand the major conflicts at play.
• Changes in Relationship Dynamics: Are characters who were initially friendly becoming adversaries? Or are enemies beginning to cooperate? Changes in relationships often signal shifts in conflict.

2. Analyze Character Goals and Motivations:

• Conflicting Desires: Do characters want different things? Are their goals mutually exclusive? The clash of desires is a common source of conflict.
• Obstacles to Goals: What obstacles prevent characters from achieving their goals? These obstacles often represent forms of conflict, whether external (other characters, society, nature) or internal (doubt, fear).
• Hidden Motivations: Are there unspoken reasons for a character’s actions? Understanding these hidden motives can reveal the underlying conflicts that drive the narrative.
• Internal Struggles: Does the character grapple with internal dilemmas? Look for indications of self-doubt, moral conflict, or psychological turmoil, as these are indicators of Person vs. Self conflict.

3. Examine the Setting and World:

• Hostile Environments: Does the environment itself present a challenge? Are characters battling natural disasters, extreme climates, or other dangerous conditions?
• Social Structures: Are there societal norms or rules that create conflict? Are there power imbalances, class struggles, or oppressive systems that characters are fighting against?
• Technological Impacts: How does technology affect the characters’ lives? Are they in conflict with machines, AI, or the negative consequences of technological advancements?
• Supernatural or Unexplained Forces: Are there mystical elements, curses, or unexplained phenomena that create conflict?

4. Look for Clues in the Author’s Language:

• Diction: Pay attention to the words the author uses. Are they harsh or gentle? Do they suggest tension or harmony?
• Imagery: Are there images of struggle, chaos, or confinement? Do these images reflect conflict within or around the characters?
• Tone and Mood: Does the story have a tense, angry, or unsettling tone? This can be an indicator of underlying conflict.
• Symbolism: Do certain objects, places, or situations represent conflict or struggle?

5. Consider the Different Types of Conflict:

• Person vs. Person: Are characters actively fighting each other, verbally or physically?
• Person vs. Self: Is the character wrestling with internal demons, moral dilemmas, or conflicting desires?
• Person vs. Nature: Is the character battling natural disasters, extreme environments, or dangerous animals?
• Person vs. Society: Is the character rebelling against societal norms, laws, or oppressive systems?
• Person vs. Technology: Is the character struggling against the negative impacts of technology?
• Person vs. Fate/Supernatural: Is the character battling destiny, supernatural beings, or other forces beyond their control?
• Person vs. the Unknown: Is the character dealing with the fear of the unknown or trying to understand the unexplainable?

6. Identify the Central Conflict:

• Primary vs. Secondary: Stories often have a central conflict and smaller, secondary conflicts that contribute to the main plot.
• Focus on the Main Plot: Determine which conflict is driving the core narrative forward.
• Thematic Significance: Consider how the conflicts connect to the story’s overall theme. What ideas is the author trying to explore through these struggles?

7. Ask Critical Questions:

• What is at stake? What do the characters stand to gain or lose as a result of the conflict?
• What are the root causes of the conflict? Is it caused by misunderstandings, greed, prejudice, or something else?
• How does the conflict impact the characters and plot? Does it drive their development? Does it change the story’s direction?
• How is the conflict resolved? Does it end in victory, defeat, compromise, or tragedy?

Examples in Practice:

• “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins: We see Person vs. Person conflict in the arena, Person vs. Society in Katniss’ rebellion, and Person vs. Self as she struggles with the trauma of the games.
• “Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien: The story features Person vs. Person (the battles against Sauron’s forces), Person vs. Self (Frodo’s struggle with the Ring’s influence), and Person vs. Fate (the destiny of the Ringbearer).
• “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: We see Person vs. Person conflict in the initial friction between Elizabeth and Darcy, and Person vs. Society in the constraints placed on women during the Regency era.

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