External Conflict in Literature & Theory

Introduction: External Conflict in Literature

External conflict in literature acts as a narrative catalyst, injecting stories with tension, complexity, and thematic depth. This dynamic emerges when protagonists grapple with forces beyond themselves, whether through interpersonal clashes, societal pressures, or encounters with nature. This literary device propels plot dynamics, compelling characters to navigate challenges that extend beyond their internal struggles.

External conflict provides a lens through which authors examine universal themes, including the human condition, morality, and societal structures. By scrutinizing characters’ responses to external adversities, literature unveils profound insights into resilience, ethical dilemmas, and the intricate interplay between individuals and their environments.

Thus, external conflict isn’t merely a plot device; it serves as a nuanced tool for exploring the intricacies of human experience within the broader context of narrative storytelling.

Shakespearean External Conflict in Literature

1. Romeo and Juliet (Person vs. Person):
   • The feud between the Montagues and Capulets creates a pervasive external conflict that drives the tragedy. The love between Romeo and Juliet is hindered by the longstanding enmity between their families, leading to a series of confrontations and ultimately tragic consequences.
2. Hamlet (Person vs. Supernatural):
   • Hamlet’s encounter with the ghost of his father introduces a supernatural external conflict. The ghost’s revelation about the murder instigates Hamlet’s quest for vengeance, creating tension and driving the play’s central conflict.
3. Macbeth (Person vs. Ambition):
   • The external conflict in “Macbeth” revolves around the protagonist‘s ambitious nature and his susceptibility to external influences. Macbeth’s desire for power, coupled with the manipulation of the witches and Lady Macbeth, results in a tragic external conflict between his ambition and moral conscience.
4. Othello (Person vs. Manipulation):
   • Iago’s manipulation of Othello creates a person vs. person conflict in “Othello.” Othello’s trust in Iago and his manipulation by false evidence lead to a destructive external conflict, as Othello’s jealousy and suspicion drive the tragic events of the play.
5. King Lear (Person vs. Family):
   • The conflict between Lear and his daughters, particularly Regan and Goneril, exemplifies a person vs. family external conflict. Lear’s misjudgment of his daughters’ loyalty and the subsequent betrayal contribute to the tragedy and familial discord at the heart of the play.
6. The Tempest (Person vs. Nature):
   • “The Tempest” introduces an external conflict between the characters and the natural elements of the island. Prospero’s magical control over the island’s spirits, as well as the tempest itself, creates a person vs. nature conflict that shapes the events and relationships in the play.

These examples showcase Shakespeare’s adeptness in weaving external conflicts into the fabric of his plays, contributing to the timeless appeal and thematic richness of his works.

Examples of External Conflict in Literature

Work	Conflict	Detail
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins	Person vs. Society	Protagonist Katniss Everdeen navigates the external conflict of challenging the oppressive Capitol and its social norms as she participates in the deadly Hunger Games, a televised event that pits children against each other in a fight for survival.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding	Person vs. Person	Stranded on an uninhabited island, a group of boys experiences escalating conflicts among themselves, illustrating the person vs. person external conflict as power struggles, fear, and competing ideologies emerge.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee	Person vs. Prejudice	In the racially charged setting of Maycomb, Atticus Finch confronts the external conflict of societal prejudice and racism as he defends Tom Robinson, a Black man, in court, highlighting the pervasive person vs. prejudice dynamic.
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville	Person vs. Nature	Captain Ahab’s relentless pursuit of revenge against the elusive white whale, Moby-Dick, represents a person vs. nature external conflict as the characters grapple not only with the whale but also with the harsh elements of the vast, unforgiving sea.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy	Person vs. Post-Apocalyptic Environment	In a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, a father and son face the external conflict of survival, contending with threats from other survivors, scarcity of resources, and the bleak environmental conditions.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald	Person vs. Society	Jay Gatsby’s ambitious pursuit of wealth and love is hindered by societal expectations, the rigid class structure of the 1920s, and the external conflict of trying to fit into a world that constantly eludes him.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton	Person vs. Person	The rivalry between the Greasers and the Socs unfolds as a person vs. person external conflict, exploring the tensions and conflicts between two social groups with different backgrounds and expectations.

How to Create External Conflict in Literature

1. Establish Clear Opposing Forces:
   • Clearly define the conflicting elements, whether they are opposing characters, societal norms, environmental challenges, or external circumstances that create tension within the narrative.
2. Develop Compelling Characters:
   • Create well-rounded characters with distinct motivations, desires, and values. Introduce elements that inherently clash with one another, setting the stage for external conflict rooted in the characters’ differences.
3. Utilize Divergent Goals and Objectives:
   • Introduce conflicting goals or objectives for the characters, forcing them to make choices that lead to external clashes. These conflicting aims can drive the plot forward and create dynamic interactions between characters.
4. Employ Vivid Descriptions and Settings:
   • Use descriptive language to evoke the external environment and settings, enhancing the conflict. Whether it’s a hostile natural landscape or a rigid societal structure, a vivid backdrop can amplify the challenges faced by the characters.
5. Introduce Moral and Ethical Dilemmas:
   • Infuse the narrative with moral quandaries and ethical dilemmas that challenge the characters’ beliefs and values. This introduces a layer of complexity to the external conflict in literature, prompting characters to grapple not only with external forces but also with their internal convictions.

External Conflict in Literature and Literary Theory

1. Structuralism:
   • Structuralist theorists, such as Roland Barthes and Claude Lévi-Strauss, focus on identifying recurring patterns and structures within literature. In external conflict, they might analyze how conflicts are structured and repeated across different works, emphasizing universal elements that contribute to the narrative’s overall meaning.
2. Psychoanalytic Criticism:
   • Psychoanalytic theorists, like Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, delve into characters’ unconscious desires and motivations. In external conflict, they might explore how characters project their internal conflicts onto external elements, revealing deeper psychological tensions and unresolved issues.
3. Marxist Criticism:
   • Marxist theorists, including Karl Marx and Fredric Jameson, scrutinize literature for social and economic implications. In external conflict, they might assess how conflicts between characters or groups represent broader societal struggles, reflecting class divisions, power dynamics, and economic disparities.
4. Feminist Criticism:
   • Feminist theorists, such as Simone de Beauvoir and Judith Butler, analyze literature through the lens of gender and power dynamics. In external conflict, they might critique how gender roles contribute to conflicts, exploring how societal expectations and power imbalances affect characters’ experiences and interactions.
5. Deconstruction:
   • Deconstructionists like Jacques Derrida question fixed meanings and challenge binary oppositions in literature. In external conflict, they might focus on destabilizing traditional notions of opposing forces, complicating the distinctions between protagonist and antagonist or problematizing the resolution of conflicts.
6. Reader-Response Criticism:
   • Reader-response theorists, including Wolfgang Iser and Stanley Fish, emphasize the reader’s role in interpreting a text. In external conflict, they might explore how readers engage with and interpret conflicts, acknowledging that readers’ backgrounds and perspectives influence their understanding of characters and their struggles.
7. Cultural Criticism:
   • Cultural critics, influenced by theorists like Raymond Williams and Stuart Hall, examine literature within its cultural context. In external conflict in literature, they might analyze how conflicts reflect or challenge cultural norms, values, and societal expectations, providing insights into the cultural landscape of the time.
8. Postcolonial Criticism:
   • Postcolonial theorists, including Edward Said and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, scrutinize literature from the perspective of colonized or marginalized voices. In external conflict in literature, they might assess how conflicts portray colonial encounters, power struggles, and the impact of imperialism on characters and communities.

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.