Remember the scene in The Hunger Games when Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute to save her sister? That moment, full of tension and dread, is a perfect example of external conflict. It grabs your attention, makes you care, and sets the entire story in motion.
So, what exactly is external conflict? Simply put, it’s a struggle between a main character and something outside of themselves. This “something” could be another person, a group, nature, or even technology. Whatever it is, this type of conflict is a crucial element of storytelling. It’s what drives the plot forward and forces characters to change, adapt, and grow.
We’re going to explore the different types of external conflict, including: Man vs. Man, Man vs. Society, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Technology, Man vs. Supernatural, and Man vs. Fate. Each of these types creates unique challenges and opportunities for storytelling.
External conflict is a vital ingredient in any good story. It propels the plot, shapes the characters, and explores meaningful themes. In this article, we’ll delve into its various forms and show you how it works with specific examples.
Man vs. Man: The Battle of Wills
One of the most common types of external conflict is “man versus man,” which involves a direct struggle between two or more characters. This could be a fistfight, a war, or a war of words. But whatever form it takes, man-versus-man conflicts raise the stakes in a story and instantly draw the audience in.
This type of conflict creates immediate tension and suspense, and it can be the basis for an entire story or can be woven into a larger narrative.
Case Study: The Prestige
Christopher Nolan’s film The Prestige offers a compelling example of man-versus-man conflict. The plot centers on two rival magicians who try to outdo each other’s illusions, with increasingly dangerous results.
As the rivalry escalates, the two characters are consumed by their obsession to be better than the other. Ultimately, their obsession leads to tragic results.
But the conflict in The Prestige isn’t just about magic tricks. It’s also about the characters’ psychological states. The characters’ determination to outdo each other exposes their flaws and vulnerabilities. Their rivalry becomes a reflection of their own insecurities and desires.
Man vs. Society: Challenging the Status Quo
In a “man vs. society” conflict, a character is pitted against the norms, laws, or institutions of a larger group. These stories often explore themes like injustice, oppression, and rebellion.
This type of conflict can be a powerful way to explore social issues and challenge the audience’s perceptions. By watching a character struggle against societal forces, we’re prompted to think about real-world problems and maybe even consider how we can contribute to positive social change.
Case Study: The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
One of the most well-known examples of “man vs. society” is Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, rebels against the Capitol, the oppressive ruling power in the dystopian world of Panem.
The Hunger Games themselves—a televised event where children are forced to fight to the death—are a stark symbol of the Capitol’s cruelty and control. Katniss’s defiance of the Capitol, starting with her volunteering as tribute to save her sister, reveals the deep flaws and injustices within Panem’s society. She ends up sparking a wider rebellion, challenging the established order and inspiring others to fight for a better world.
The series forces us to think about the dangers of unchecked power, the importance of individual courage, and the potential for collective action to create meaningful change.
Man vs. Nature: Survival Against the Elements
In a “man versus nature” conflict, a character struggles against the elements of the natural world. These stories often revolve around themes of survival, resilience, and the undeniable power of nature.
These stories can highlight the vulnerabilities of humanity and underscore how important it is to respect our environment. They can also explore the consequences of human actions on the natural world and how those actions can boomerang back on humanity.
Case Study: The Revenant (Alejandro G. Iñárritu)
One of the most vivid and visceral examples of a man-versus-nature conflict is the story of Hugh Glass in The Revenant. After being mauled by a bear, Glass is left for dead in the wilderness. His journey becomes a relentless fight for survival against the unforgiving elements.
The conflict tests Glass’s physical and mental limits as he endures extreme conditions and battles seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He has to overcome both the cold and his injuries to survive.
The harsh environment becomes a character in itself, shaping Glass’s journey and revealing his deep connection to nature and his unwavering will to live. The audience is left to wonder at the resilience of the human spirit and the power of nature to both destroy and inspire.
Man vs. Technology: The Perils of Progress
One of the most thought-provoking types of external conflict pits human beings against technology. In these scenarios, the protagonist struggles against a technological force, often raising concerns about technology’s impact on humanity.
This conflict may explore themes related to artificial intelligence, automation, and the potential loss of human connection as technology becomes more and more advanced. Man vs. technology conflicts often prompt us to think about the ethical considerations of technology and warn us about the dangers of letting technology advance without checks and balances.
Case Study: Her
Spike Jonze’s film, Her, is a perfect example of a man vs. technology conflict. In the film, the protagonist, Theodore Twombly, develops a deep, intimate relationship with an AI operating system named Samantha.
The film explores how the line between human and artificial relationships can easily blur. Theodore’s emotional dependence on Samantha forces us to think about the very nature of love and connection. Is it possible to truly love an artificial intelligence?
Her also highlights how technology can both connect and isolate us. The film suggests that technology can provide companionship, but it can also create a sense of detachment from reality. In the end, Theodore is left alone, grappling with questions about love, loss, and the role of technology in our lives.
Man vs. Supernatural/Fate: Wrestling with the Unknown
In stories of Man vs. Supernatural, a character battles against forces beyond the natural world, like ghosts, demons, or other otherworldly beings. Man vs. Fate stories involve a character fighting against their destiny or some predetermined outcome that seems inescapable.
These types of conflicts often touch on themes of good versus evil, destiny versus free will, and the limits of what humans can actually understand.
Case Study: The Shining (Stephen King) – Man vs. Supernatural
Stephen King’s The Shining provides a classic example of this conflict. Jack Torrance, isolated at the Overlook Hotel, descends into madness as the hotel’s supernatural forces influence his behavior.
The malevolent presence of the hotel amplifies Jack’s inner demons, ultimately threatening his family and leading to tragic events. The story explores how external supernatural forces can prey on and exacerbate internal weaknesses, leading to devastating consequences.
Case Study: Cloud Atlas (David Mitchell) – Man vs. Fate
David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas presents a complex narrative where recurring souls across different time periods face interconnected challenges that seem almost predetermined. The characters grapple with the idea of fate and their ability, or inability, to change their own destinies.
The novel delves into the question of whether individuals are free to make their own choices or merely puppets of a larger, cosmic plan.
In Summary
As we’ve seen, external conflict takes many forms—character versus character, character versus nature, character versus society, and character versus the supernatural. No matter the specific type, external conflict is a powerful engine that drives the plot and shapes the characters in a story.
External conflict is also key to keeping an audience engaged. By creating a sense of urgency and tension, external conflict draws readers or viewers into the narrative, prompting them to wonder how the challenges facing the characters will be resolved.
Ultimately, well-crafted external conflict provides a framework for exploring the human condition, prompting us to reflect on our relationships with each other, the world around us, and the things we cannot explain.