What Is External Conflict

Conflict is an inevitable part of human interaction, and understanding its various forms is crucial for navigating life's challenges. One of the most fundamental types of conflict is what is external conflict. This type of conflict occurs between a character and an outside force, which can be another character, society, nature, or even supernatural elements. External conflict drives the plot forward, creates tension, and often reveals the true nature of characters. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of external conflict, its types, examples, and its significance in storytelling.

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Understanding External Conflict

External conflict is a literary device used to create obstacles and challenges for characters. It is the struggle between the protagonist and an external force that prevents them from achieving their goals. This type of conflict is essential in storytelling as it propels the narrative, keeps readers engaged, and provides opportunities for character development.

External conflict can be categorized into several types, each with its unique characteristics and purposes. Understanding these types can help writers create more compelling and dynamic stories.

Types of External Conflict

External conflict can be broadly classified into five main types:

Character vs. Character: This is the most common type of external conflict, where the protagonist faces opposition from another character. This conflict can be physical, verbal, or psychological.
Character vs. Society: In this type, the protagonist struggles against societal norms, rules, or expectations. This conflict often highlights issues of social justice, morality, and individuality.
Character vs. Nature: This conflict involves the protagonist battling against natural forces such as weather, animals, or the environment. It often emphasizes the power and unpredictability of nature.
Character vs. Supernatural: This type of conflict pits the protagonist against supernatural entities, such as ghosts, gods, or magical creatures. It often explores themes of the unknown, the mystical, and the paranormal.
Character vs. Technology: In modern storytelling, this conflict involves the protagonist struggling against advanced technology, artificial intelligence, or other technological challenges. It often raises questions about the impact of technology on society and human life.

Examples of External Conflict in Literature and Media

External conflict is prevalent in various forms of literature and media. Here are some notable examples that illustrate different types of external conflict:

Character vs. Character

One of the most iconic examples of character vs. character conflict is the rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty in Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. Their intellectual and physical battles highlight the tension and suspense that this type of conflict can create.

Character vs. Society

In George Orwell's *1984*, the protagonist Winston Smith struggles against the oppressive society of Big Brother. This conflict underscores the themes of individuality, freedom, and the dangers of totalitarianism.

Character vs. Nature

The novel *The Old Man and the Sea* by Ernest Hemingway features an old fisherman, Santiago, who battles a giant marlin in the sea. This conflict showcases the raw power of nature and the human spirit's resilience.

Character vs. Supernatural

In J.K. Rowling's *Harry Potter* series, Harry faces numerous supernatural threats, including Voldemort and various dark creatures. These conflicts add a layer of mystery and magic to the story.

Character vs. Technology

In the film *The Terminator*, the protagonist Sarah Connor battles against a cyborg sent from the future to kill her. This conflict explores the dangers of advanced technology and artificial intelligence.

The Significance of External Conflict in Storytelling

External conflict plays a pivotal role in storytelling for several reasons:

Drives the Plot: External conflict creates obstacles that the protagonist must overcome, driving the narrative forward and keeping readers engaged.
Reveals Character: How a character responds to external conflict can reveal their true nature, strengths, and weaknesses, making them more relatable and three-dimensional.
Creates Tension: External conflict generates suspense and tension, making the story more exciting and unpredictable.
Explores Themes: External conflict often highlights important themes and issues, such as justice, morality, and the human condition, adding depth to the story.

By incorporating external conflict into their narratives, writers can create more dynamic and engaging stories that resonate with readers on multiple levels.

Creating Effective External Conflict

To create effective external conflict, writers should consider the following steps:

Identify the Protagonist's Goals: Clearly define what the protagonist wants to achieve. This will help in creating obstacles that are relevant and meaningful.
Choose the Right Type of Conflict: Select the type of external conflict that best fits the story and its themes. Each type of conflict offers unique opportunities for character development and plot progression.
Make the Conflict Challenging: Ensure that the conflict is significant enough to test the protagonist's abilities and resolve. The more challenging the conflict, the more satisfying the resolution will be.
Show the Impact on the Protagonist: Demonstrate how the conflict affects the protagonist emotionally, physically, and psychologically. This will make the conflict more relatable and engaging.
Resolve the Conflict: Provide a satisfying resolution to the conflict that aligns with the story's themes and the protagonist's character arc.

📝 Note: While resolving the conflict, ensure that it feels earned and logical based on the events of the story. A rushed or unsatisfying resolution can leave readers feeling cheated.

External Conflict vs. Internal Conflict

While external conflict involves struggles with outside forces, internal conflict occurs within the character's mind. Internal conflict can manifest as:

Character vs. Self: The protagonist struggles with their own thoughts, emotions, or desires. This conflict often involves moral dilemmas, self-doubt, or personal growth.
Character vs. Fate: The protagonist battles against destiny or predetermined outcomes. This conflict explores themes of free will, predestination, and the power of choice.

Both external and internal conflicts are essential in storytelling, as they complement each other and create a well-rounded narrative. External conflict often triggers internal conflict, and vice versa, leading to a deeper exploration of the character's psyche and motivations.

Examples of External and Internal Conflict in Popular Media

Many popular films and books effectively use both external and internal conflicts to create compelling narratives. Here are a few examples:

Character vs. Character and Character vs. Self

In the film *The Dark Knight*, Batman faces external conflict with the Joker and internal conflict with his own moral code. This dual conflict creates a complex and engaging story that explores themes of justice, morality, and the human condition.

Character vs. Society and Character vs. Fate

In the novel *To Kill a Mockingbird* by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch struggles against societal prejudice and his own sense of fate. This dual conflict highlights the themes of racial injustice, moral courage, and the power of empathy.

Analyzing External Conflict in Literature

To better understand external conflict, let's analyze a classic example from literature: *Moby-Dick* by Herman Melville.

In *Moby-Dick*, Captain Ahab's obsession with the white whale creates a powerful external conflict. Ahab's relentless pursuit of Moby Dick drives the plot forward and reveals his character's depths, including his pride, obsession, and eventual downfall.

This external conflict also triggers internal conflict within Ahab, as he grapples with his own demons and the consequences of his actions. The dual conflict creates a rich and complex narrative that explores themes of obsession, fate, and the human condition.

By analyzing external conflict in literature, writers can gain insights into how to create compelling and dynamic stories that resonate with readers.

External Conflict in Different Genres

External conflict is a versatile literary device that can be used in various genres. Here's how it manifests in different types of storytelling:

Fiction

In fiction, external conflict often involves characters battling against other characters, societal norms, or natural forces. This conflict drives the plot forward and creates tension, making the story more engaging.

Science Fiction

In science fiction, external conflict often involves characters struggling against advanced technology, alien entities, or the challenges of space travel. This conflict explores themes of innovation, exploration, and the impact of technology on society.

Fantasy

In fantasy, external conflict often involves characters battling against magical creatures, supernatural forces, or the challenges of a fantastical world. This conflict adds a layer of mystery and magic to the story, making it more enchanting and unpredictable.

Mystery

In mystery, external conflict often involves characters solving puzzles, uncovering secrets, or confronting criminals. This conflict creates suspense and tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Romance

In romance, external conflict often involves characters overcoming obstacles to their love, such as societal disapproval, family interference, or personal insecurities. This conflict adds depth and emotion to the story, making the romantic journey more satisfying.

The Role of External Conflict in Character Development

External conflict plays a crucial role in character development by testing the protagonist's abilities, resolve, and moral compass. Through external conflict, characters can:

Grow and Evolve: Overcoming external challenges can lead to personal growth and self-discovery, making the character more relatable and three-dimensional.
Learn Valuable Lessons: External conflict often teaches characters important lessons about life, morality, and the human condition, adding depth to their character arc.
Form Relationships: External conflict can bring characters together, fostering bonds and alliances that enrich the story and the characters' lives.

By incorporating external conflict into their narratives, writers can create more dynamic and engaging characters that resonate with readers on multiple levels.

Common Mistakes in Using External Conflict

While external conflict is a powerful literary device, it can also be misused. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Overcomplicating the Conflict: Too many external conflicts can confuse readers and dilute the story's impact. Focus on a few key conflicts that drive the narrative forward.
Making the Conflict Too Easy: If the external conflict is too simple to overcome, it won't create enough tension or suspense. Ensure that the conflict is challenging and meaningful.
Ignoring Character Development: External conflict should reveal and develop the protagonist's character. If the conflict doesn't impact the character's growth, it may feel superficial.
Forgetting the Resolution: Every external conflict should have a satisfying resolution that aligns with the story's themes and the protagonist's character arc. A rushed or unsatisfying resolution can leave readers feeling cheated.

📝 Note: To avoid these mistakes, carefully plan your external conflicts and ensure they serve a purpose in the story. Each conflict should drive the plot forward, reveal character, and explore important themes.

External Conflict in Real Life

While external conflict is a literary device, it also manifests in real life. Understanding external conflict in real-life situations can help individuals navigate challenges and overcome obstacles. Here are some examples of external conflict in real life:

Workplace Conflicts: Conflicts with colleagues, supervisors, or clients can create external challenges that test an individual's professionalism and problem-solving skills.
Family Conflicts: Disagreements with family members can create external conflicts that require communication, empathy, and compromise to resolve.
Social Conflicts: Conflicts with friends, neighbors, or community members can create external challenges that test an individual's social skills and emotional intelligence.
Environmental Conflicts: Natural disasters, climate change, or environmental degradation can create external conflicts that require collective action and resilience to overcome.

By recognizing and addressing external conflicts in real life, individuals can develop the skills and resilience needed to navigate life's challenges and achieve their goals.

External conflict is a fundamental aspect of storytelling that drives the plot, reveals character, and explores important themes. By understanding the different types of external conflict and how to create effective conflicts, writers can craft compelling and dynamic narratives that resonate with readers. Whether in literature, film, or real life, external conflict plays a crucial role in shaping our experiences and understanding of the world.

In conclusion, external conflict is a powerful literary device that enriches storytelling and character development. By incorporating external conflict into their narratives, writers can create more engaging and dynamic stories that captivate readers and explore the complexities of the human condition. Whether through character vs. character, character vs. society, or other types of external conflict, this device adds depth and excitement to any story, making it a vital tool for any writer’s arsenal.

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