Internal conflict

Definition

Internal conflict refers to the psychological struggle within a character, where they face opposing desires, beliefs, or emotions. This struggle is vital for developing depth in characters, making them relatable and complex, and often influences their decisions and growth throughout the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal conflict often drives the plot forward, as characters navigate their struggles and decisions based on these challenges.
2. Characters experiencing internal conflict can evoke empathy from readers, making their journey more engaging and relatable.
3. Conflict can stem from moral dilemmas, personal fears, or conflicting goals, all of which shape how a character evolves throughout the story.
4. Effective portrayal of internal conflict enhances character development, allowing for deeper connections between the character's journey and the audience's understanding.
5. Authors often use internal conflict to illustrate broader themes within the story, such as identity, morality, or societal pressures.

Review Questions

• How does internal conflict contribute to a character's development throughout a narrative?
  • Internal conflict serves as a crucial element in a character's development by presenting them with challenges that force them to confront their beliefs, desires, or fears. As they navigate these struggles, characters undergo significant transformations that shape their arcs. This journey not only makes them more relatable to the audience but also enriches the overall narrative by highlighting themes of growth and self-discovery.
• In what ways can authors effectively portray a character's internal conflict to enhance reader engagement?
  • Authors can portray a character's internal conflict through various techniques such as inner dialogue, flashbacks, and contrasting actions. By showcasing a character's thoughts and feelings directly, writers allow readers to witness the struggle firsthand. Additionally, creating situations where the character’s external actions contradict their internal feelings adds depth to the portrayal, making it easier for readers to connect emotionally with the character's journey.
• Evaluate the relationship between internal conflict and theme in feature writing. How can this relationship shape reader interpretation?
  • The relationship between internal conflict and theme is pivotal in feature writing because it allows for exploration of complex ideas through the characters' personal struggles. When a character grapples with their internal conflicts, it often reflects larger societal issues or moral dilemmas central to the theme of the piece. This interplay encourages readers to think critically about both the character’s experiences and the broader implications of those conflicts, ultimately enriching their interpretation and engagement with the work.

Related terms

character arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story, often influenced by their internal conflicts.

motivation: The underlying reasons or drives that propel a character's actions and decisions, often shaped by their internal struggles.

theme: The central ideas or messages explored in a piece of writing, often reflected through characters' internal conflicts.