External Conflict: A Literary Device

Etymology of External Conflict

The term “external conflict” traces its etymological origins to the Latin language, where “externus” means “outward” or “external,” and “conflictus” denotes “collision” or “struggle.” The amalgamation of these roots encapsulates the fundamental concept of conflict arising from sources outside an individual or entity.

In its academic usage, “external conflict” typically refers to the narrative or thematic tension generated by a protagonist’s struggle against external forces such as societal norms, environmental challenges, or antagonistic characters.

Meanings of External Conflict

Aspect	Meaning
Etymological Roots	Derived from Latin “externus” (meaning “external” or “outward”) and “conflictus” (indicating “struggle”).
Source of Tension	Narrative tension from external factors like societal norms, environmental challenges, or antagonists.
Literary and Dramatic Analysis	Significance in analyzing literature and drama, offering a framework for understanding character dynamics.
Narrative Structure	Key concept in examining narrative structures, revealing character development complexities in conflicts.

Definition of External Conflict

External conflict, as a literary device, encompasses the tension arising from a protagonist’s struggle against external forces such as societal expectations, environmental challenges, or opposing characters.

It serves as a crucial narrative element, driving plot development and character evolution by introducing obstacles and challenges originating from outside the central character.

Through the depiction of these external clashes, the device enriches storytelling by adding complexity and depth to characters and their journeys.

Common Examples of External Conflict

1. Interpersonal Disagreements: Arguments or conflicts with friends, family members, or colleagues can be considered external conflicts in everyday life, arising from differences in opinions, values, or priorities.
2. Workplace Challenges: Struggles with colleagues, supervisors, or workplace policies represent external conflicts, impacting an individual’s professional life and requiring resolution for a harmonious work environment.
3. Financial Struggles: Facing economic challenges, such as debt, job loss, or financial constraints, serves as an external conflict that individuals must navigate in their daily lives.
4. Health Issues: Dealing with health problems or navigating medical concerns constitutes an external conflict that individuals grapple with, affecting various aspects of their daily routines and overall well-being.
5. Community Disputes: Conflicts within communities, neighborhoods, or local groups can arise from differing perspectives on issues like development, resource allocation, or community goals.
6. Legal Matters: Involvement in legal disputes, whether personal or professional, presents external conflicts that individuals may encounter, requiring resolution through legal processes.
7. Cultural Differences: Interactions and conflicts stemming from diverse cultural backgrounds, traditions, or beliefs represent external conflicts in multicultural societies.
8. Natural Disasters: Coping with the aftermath of natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, or hurricanes, introduces external conflicts related to rebuilding, relocation, and recovery.
9. Traffic or Transportation Issues: Daily challenges like traffic congestion, public transportation delays, or vehicle breakdowns create external conflicts that impact individuals’ routines and schedules.
10. Educational Challenges: Students may face external conflicts in the form of academic pressures, conflicts with peers, or challenges related to educational systems and policies.

Types of External Conflict

Type	Explanation	Example in Literature
Person vs. Person	Conflict between two or more characters, often involving opposing goals, beliefs, or values. This type of conflict is common in interpersonal relationships and is a classic element in many stories.	In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the titular characters face conflict with each other’s families, the Montagues and Capulets, representing a classic person vs. person conflict.
Person vs. Society	The protagonist faces conflict with societal norms, cultural expectations, or institutional structures. This type of conflict explores the tension between an individual and the broader community or social order.	George Orwell’s 1984 depicts the protagonist, Winston Smith, in conflict with the oppressive societal structures and thought control imposed by the Party, illustrating a person vs. society conflict.
Person vs. Nature	External conflict arises from the protagonist’s struggle against natural elements or forces, such as weather, animals, or environmental disasters. Survival stories often feature this type of conflict.	In Jack London’s To Build a Fire, the protagonist contends with the harsh, freezing conditions of the Yukon wilderness, illustrating a person vs. nature conflict as he struggles for survival against the unforgiving environment.
Person vs. Technology/Machine	Conflict with advanced technology, artificial intelligence, or machinery. This type of conflict explores the potential risks and consequences associated with human interaction with technology.	Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein portrays the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, in conflict with his own creation, an artificially constructed being, exemplifying a person vs. technology/machine conflict.
Person vs. Supernatural	Conflict with supernatural entities, forces, or elements beyond the natural world. This type of conflict is prevalent in fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction genres.	In Bram Stoker’s Dracula,the characters confront the supernatural threat posed by Count Dracula, showcasing a person vs. supernatural conflict in the realm of gothic horror.
Person vs. Fate/Destiny	The protagonist grapples with a predetermined course of events or an unavoidable destiny. This type of conflict delves into themes of free will and determinism.	Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex” follows the tragic story of Oedipus, who unknowingly fulfills a prophesied destiny, exemplifying a person vs. fate/destiny conflict and exploring the boundaries of individual agency.
Person vs. Time	Conflict involving time constraints or the pressure of time as a crucial element. This can manifest in deadlines, countdowns, or the urgency of completing a task within a specified timeframe.	In H.G. Wells’s The Time Machine, the protagonist grapples with the temporal challenges of time travel, illustrating a person vs. time conflict as he navigates through different eras and confronts the consequences of time manipulation.
Person vs. Space/Environment	Conflict arising from challenges in outer space or unconventional environments. This may involve astronauts, explorers, or characters navigating unfamiliar and hostile territories.	Andy Weir’s The Martian features a person vs. space/environment conflict as the protagonist, Mark Watney, contends with the harsh conditions of Mars while stranded on the planet, showcasing the challenges of survival in an alien environment.
Person vs. Ideology/Belief	Conflict arises when a character challenges or opposes a prevailing ideology, belief system, or philosophical stance. This type of conflict often explores themes of individuality and nonconformity.	Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 explores a person vs. ideology/belief conflict as the protagonist, Guy Montag, questions the oppressive censorship and conformity enforced by the society, highlighting the struggle against a rigid ideological system.
Person vs. Economic Circumstances	Conflict related to financial struggles, economic disparities, or societal issues tied to wealth and poverty. This type of conflict is prevalent in stories exploring socioeconomic challenges.	John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath depicts the Joad family’s struggle against economic hardships during the Great Depression, portraying a person vs. economic circumstances conflict in the context of societal and economic challenges.

Suggested Readings about External Conflict

1. Abrams, M.H., and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms. 12th ed., Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011.
2. Brooks, Cleanth, and Robert Penn Warren. Understanding Fiction. 3rd ed., Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1979.
3. Freytag, Gustav. Technique of the Drama: An Exposition of Dramatic Composition and Art. Translated by Elias J. MacEwan, Russell & Russell, 1966.
4. Lodge, David. The Art of Fiction. Vintage, 1992.
5. Propp, Vladimir. Morphology of the Folktale. Translated by Laurence Scott, University of Texas Press, 1968.
6. Wellek, René, and Austin Warren. Theory of Literature. 3rd ed., Harcourt, Brace & World, 1956.
7. Williams, Raymond. Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society. Oxford University Press, 1983.