4.2 Internal conflict
7 min read•august 21, 2024
Internal conflict drives character development and adds depth to storytelling. It arises from competing desires, moral dilemmas, and psychological issues, creating tension within characters as they grapple with difficult choices and inner turmoil.
Writers reveal internal conflict through dialogue, actions, and nonverbal cues. By exploring characters' backstories, flaws, and growth, internal conflicts can be woven into compelling arcs that resonate with readers and illuminate broader themes.
Sources of internal conflict
Competing desires and goals
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- Arise when a character has multiple wants or needs that are at odds with each other
- Create tension as the character must choose which desire to prioritize or pursue
- Can stem from conflicting roles or responsibilities in the character's life (family vs career, duty vs passion)
- Often tied to the character's values, beliefs, and sense of identity
- Examples:
- A politician torn between their ambition and their principles
- A parent struggling to balance work and family commitments
Moral dilemmas and choices
- Occur when a character faces a difficult decision with no clear right answer
- Force the character to weigh competing moral imperatives or ethical considerations
- Can challenge the character's worldview, values, or sense of right and wrong
- Often involve high stakes and potentially far-reaching consequences
- Examples:
- A doctor deciding whether to assist in a patient's suicide
- A soldier questioning the morality of their orders in war
Psychological issues and trauma
- Stem from a character's past experiences, mental health, or emotional baggage
- Can manifest as inner demons, self-doubt, anxiety, or other psychological struggles
- May be rooted in childhood events, past relationships, or significant life challenges
- Often shape the character's perceptions, behaviors, and coping mechanisms
- Examples:
- A survivor of abuse grappling with trust and intimacy issues
- A character with depression struggling to find meaning and purpose
Techniques for revealing internal conflict
Dialogue and subtext
- Use the character's words and conversations to hint at their inner turmoil
- Employ subtext to convey unspoken thoughts, feelings, or motivations beneath the surface
- Create tension between what the character says and what they truly mean or want
- Use verbal cues, hesitations, or contradictions to suggest internal conflict
- Examples:
- A character's sarcastic remarks masking deep insecurity
- A couple's seemingly casual banter revealing unresolved resentments
Actions vs words
- Highlight discrepancies between a character's stated intentions and their actual behavior
- Show the character making choices or taking actions that contradict their professed beliefs or goals
- Use inconsistencies to reveal the character's internal struggles or conflicting impulses
- Demonstrate how the character's actions betray their true feelings or desires
- Examples:
- A character claiming to be over an ex but obsessively checking their social media
- A politician preaching integrity while engaging in corrupt practices
Nonverbal cues and behavior
- Employ body language, gestures, and facial expressions to convey internal conflict
- Use physical indicators of stress, discomfort, or emotional turmoil
- Describe the character's involuntary reactions or nervous habits
- Contrast the character's outward composure with their inner agitation or unease
- Examples:
- A character's fidgeting hands or averted gaze during a difficult conversation
- A seemingly calm exterior belying the character's racing heartbeat and sweaty palms
Character development through internal conflict
Backstory and motivations
- Explore the character's history and formative experiences to understand their internal conflicts
- Delve into the character's upbringing, relationships, and defining moments
- Examine how past events or traumas shape the character's motivations and desires
- Use the character's to provide context and depth to their internal struggles
- Examples:
- A character's fear of abandonment stemming from a childhood of neglect
- A driven entrepreneur's relentless ambition rooted in a desire to prove their worth
Character arcs and growth
- Trace the character's emotional and psychological journey throughout the story
- Show how the character's internal conflicts evolve, intensify, or resolve over time
- Demonstrate the character's growth or transformation as they confront and overcome their inner struggles
- Use the character's arc to illustrate themes of , redemption, or personal change
- Examples:
- A character learning to forgive themselves and let go of guilt
- A hero's journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance and empowerment
Flaws and weaknesses
- Identify the character's inherent flaws, weaknesses, or blind spots that fuel their internal conflicts
- Explore how these flaws impact the character's decision-making, relationships, and overall arc
- Use the character's weaknesses to create obstacles, setbacks, or moments of vulnerability
- Show how the character's flaws contribute to their internal struggles and complicate their journey
- Examples:
- A character's pride or stubbornness preventing them from seeking help or admitting mistakes
- A perfectionist's fear of failure paralyzing them in moments of pressure or uncertainty
Pacing and structure of internal conflict
Gradual buildup and escalation
- Introduce the character's internal conflict subtly and gradually throughout the story
- Use small moments, hints, or foreshadowing to plant the seeds of the character's inner turmoil
- Slowly intensify the character's internal struggle as the story progresses
- Escalate the stakes, consequences, or emotional weight of the character's internal conflict over time
- Examples:
- A character's growing disillusionment with their chosen career path
- A mounting sense of guilt or moral compromise as a character makes increasingly questionable choices
Turning points and revelations
- Identify key moments or events that significantly impact or alter the character's internal conflict
- Use turning points to shift the character's perspective, understanding, or emotional state
- Incorporate revelations or epiphanies that deepen or complicate the character's internal struggle
- Employ plot twists, confrontations, or personal crises to catalyze changes in the character's internal landscape
- Examples:
- A startling secret from the past that reshapes a character's sense of identity
- A pivotal encounter that challenges a character's long-held beliefs or assumptions
Resolution and consequences
- Determine how the character's internal conflict is ultimately resolved or left unresolved
- Explore the consequences, both positive and negative, of the character's choices and actions
- Show how the resolution of the internal conflict impacts the character's relationships, goals, or future path
- Use the resolution to deliver emotional payoff, character growth, or thematic resonance
- Examples:
- A character finding peace or acceptance after a long internal struggle
- A bittersweet ending where a character's internal conflict leads to both loss and gain
Internal vs external conflict
Interplay between inner and outer struggles
- Examine how the character's internal conflict influences or is influenced by external circumstances
- Show how the character's inner turmoil manifests in their interactions with others or their environment
- Explore how external pressures, obstacles, or relationships exacerbate or alleviate the character's internal conflict
- Use the interplay between internal and external conflicts to create a rich, multidimensional narrative
- Examples:
- A character's fear of failure affecting their performance in a high-stakes competition
- A strained family dynamic intensifying a character's internal struggle with identity or belonging
Balancing character-driven and plot-driven conflict
- Ensure that the character's internal conflict is integral to and propels the overall plot
- Use external events and challenges to force the character to confront or grapple with their internal issues
- Balance moments of introspection and self-reflection with active scenes of conflict and decision-making
- Interweave the character's internal journey with the larger narrative arc and themes
- Examples:
- A murder mystery where the detective's personal demons shape their investigation and conclusions
- A coming-of-age story where the protagonist's internal growth mirrors the external challenges they face
Thematic connections and parallels
- Use the character's internal conflict to explore and illuminate the story's central themes or ideas
- Draw parallels between the character's inner struggles and the larger human experiences or social issues
- Employ symbolism, motifs, or recurring imagery to underscore the thematic significance of the internal conflict
- Allow the character's internal journey to serve as a microcosm or metaphor for broader truths or insights
- Examples:
- A character's battle with addiction reflecting themes of control, temptation, and redemption
- A story's exploration of love and loss through a character's grief and emotional healing
Crafting compelling internal conflict
Authenticity and relatability
- Ground the character's internal conflict in genuine human emotions, desires, and experiences
- Create a sense of empathy or understanding by tapping into universal struggles or dilemmas
- Avoid clichés or stereotypes in favor of nuanced, specific, and authentic portrayals
- Allow the character's internal conflict to resonate with readers on a deep, personal level
- Examples:
- A character's struggle with self-acceptance and body image in a appearance-obsessed society
- A story that captures the complex mix of love, resentment, and obligation in family relationships
Stakes and consequences
- Ensure that the character's internal conflict carries significant stakes and consequences
- Raise the emotional or psychological risks associated with the character's choices and actions
- Show how the character's internal struggle impacts not only themselves but also those around them
- Use the stakes to heighten tension, suspense, and reader investment in the character's journey
- Examples:
- A character's decision to speak truth to power at the risk of their reputation or livelihood
- A parent's internal conflict between protecting their child and allowing them to face challenges and grow
Emotional resonance and impact
- Craft scenes and moments that powerfully convey the depth and intensity of the character's internal conflict
- Use vivid sensory details, evocative language, and poignant imagery to immerse readers in the character's emotional landscape
- Employ pacing, rhythm, and narrative structure to build towards emotionally climactic or cathartic moments
- Aim to leave a lasting impact on readers by exploring the profound, transformative power of internal conflict
- Examples:
- A raw, visceral portrayal of a character's descent into madness or despair
- A quietly devastating scene where a character finally confronts and makes peace with a long-held trauma or regret
Key Terms to Review (16)
Backstory: Backstory refers to the history or background information of a character, event, or setting that helps shape the narrative. It provides context and depth to characters and plotlines, influencing their motivations and actions throughout the story. By incorporating backstory effectively, writers can create richer narratives where characters' past experiences directly impact their current decisions and relationships.
Catharsis: Catharsis refers to the emotional release or purification that an audience experiences through art, particularly in drama. This process is often achieved as the audience witnesses the characters' struggles, ultimately leading to a sense of relief or renewal, connecting deeply with the themes of conflict, resolution, and human experience.
Character Arc: A character arc is the transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story, which reflects their growth, change, or realization. It connects deeply with various elements of storytelling, as it drives the narrative forward and impacts the character's relationships, motivations, and conflicts.
Character vs. self: Character vs. self is a type of internal conflict that occurs when a character struggles with their own beliefs, desires, or emotions. This conflict often leads to significant character development and drives the narrative forward as characters confront their inner demons or make tough decisions that reflect their true selves.
Climactic moment: The climactic moment is the peak of tension or conflict in a narrative where the main character faces a critical decision or turning point. It serves as the emotional high point of the story and often leads directly to the resolution of the conflict. This moment is essential for driving the narrative forward and significantly impacts the falling action, revealing the consequences of the character's choices and actions.
Emotional stakes: Emotional stakes refer to the intensity of emotional investment that characters have in their goals and conflicts within a narrative. This concept is crucial in creating tension and engaging the audience, as it drives characters to pursue their desires with urgency and vulnerability. When emotional stakes are high, the audience feels more connected to the characters, making their journeys more impactful and relatable.
Existential angst: Existential angst refers to a profound sense of anxiety and uncertainty stemming from the human experience of existence, identity, and the search for meaning. This feeling often arises when individuals confront the inherent absurdity of life and their own mortality, leading to an internal struggle with self-awareness and purpose. It's closely tied to concepts like freedom and responsibility, emphasizing the weight of choices in an unpredictable world.
Henrik Ibsen: Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian playwright and poet, often referred to as the father of modern drama. He is best known for his plays that delve into social issues and complex human emotions, which were groundbreaking during his time and continue to influence contemporary theater. Ibsen's works often present a detailed exposition of character motivations, leading to intense internal conflicts and moral dilemmas, making him a central figure in the study of realism and naturalism in drama.
Identity crisis: An identity crisis is a period of uncertainty and confusion in which an individual struggles to define their sense of self and personal values. This often arises during transitional phases in life or when faced with conflicting internal and external pressures. It can lead to deep internal conflict, as individuals question who they are and what role they play in society, often manifesting through various subtextual themes in storytelling.
Moral dilemma: A moral dilemma is a situation in which a person faces conflicting choices, each of which involves a moral or ethical principle that is difficult to reconcile. These dilemmas often require individuals to make tough decisions that weigh their values and ethics against personal desires or societal expectations. The outcome can lead to significant internal conflict as individuals grapple with the implications of their choices.
Psychological Realism: Psychological realism is a dramatic technique that focuses on the internal thoughts, emotions, and motivations of characters, aiming to depict their psychological complexity in a relatable and authentic manner. This approach allows audiences to connect with characters on a deeper level, often revealing the nuances of human behavior and relationships. The emphasis on character psychology is critical for exploring themes such as personal struggle, moral dilemmas, and the impact of environment on mental states.
Self-discovery: Self-discovery is the process of gaining insight into one’s own character, feelings, motivations, and desires. This journey often involves confronting personal truths and can lead to significant personal growth. In narratives, self-discovery is frequently tied to internal conflict, where characters face their fears, beliefs, and societal expectations, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of themselves.
Soliloquy: A soliloquy is a dramatic device where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, usually while alone on stage, revealing their inner feelings and motivations to the audience. This form allows for deep exploration of a character's psyche and can serve to highlight their internal conflicts and struggles, often making it a powerful tool in playwriting.
Stream of consciousness: Stream of consciousness is a narrative technique that attempts to capture the continuous flow of a character's thoughts and feelings as they occur. This style provides insight into the internal conflict by revealing the character’s unfiltered emotions, memories, and sensory experiences, often blurring the line between reality and perception. It immerses readers in the mental processes of the character, creating an intimate connection that can illuminate their struggles and dilemmas.
Tennessee Williams: Tennessee Williams was an influential American playwright known for his powerful and emotional storytelling, exploring complex characters and themes related to human experiences. His works often delve into the struggles of individuals grappling with internal conflicts and societal pressures, making significant contributions to the landscape of modern theater.
Tragic flaw: A tragic flaw is a character trait that leads to the downfall of a protagonist in a dramatic work, often stemming from their own choices and actions. This flaw can be excessive pride, poor judgment, or another critical weakness that triggers internal conflict and ultimately results in tragedy. In this sense, the tragic flaw not only defines the character but also serves as a catalyst for their internal struggle and moral dilemmas, illustrating the complexity of human nature.