Types of Conflict in a Story

A story without conflict is boring. A story without conflict is not a story. To keep readers engaged the writer must use conflict in every scene. Also, the conflict must be well-written, which means it must be visual and engaging. In other words, readers must see the conflict, not told it.

What is conflict? It’s a contest between two opposing forces, each force having an objective or goal. It’s not always the “good guy versus the bad guy,” though of course, it can be and often is. Let’s look at the different types of conflict found in literature. Perhaps they’ll spark some ideas.

Man versus Self

This is internal conflict. A character is struggling with issues within himself/herself. It’s a novel centered around introspection, moral choices, self-doubts, and coming to terms with oneself.  An excellent example of this is William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” In the play, Hamlet struggles with a moral decision – whether he should avenge his father’s murder. His indecision leads to his tragic end.

Man versus Technology

Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, illustrates this. Doctor Viktor Frankenstein creates a monster who eventually turns on him.

Man versus Nature

Jack London’s famous short story, “To Build a Fire,” is an excellent example. A man and his dog get caught in extremely cold weather in the Yukon. The man struggles to survive.

Man versus Man

This is the most often used conflict. Two characters oppose each other, and each one has a different goal. Think of it as protagonist (hero) versus antagonist (villain). They struggle against each other in various ways. Their struggles don’t always have to be physical. They can also struggle politically, morally, or even competitively.

Man versus Society

 This story’s conflict centers on “man versus the world”, “man versus culture”, “man versus government”, and similar things. Characters grow and change, and these tales also carry some heavy themes. A good example of this is George Orwell’s classic work, 1984. In it, the main character, Winston Smith, opposes Big Brother and his tyrannical regime.