Transcript Literary Elements - Oconto Falls Public Schools

Literary Elements
Conflict
Definition--Conflict
 The
Problem that a character
is faced with in the story.
Four Types of Conflict
Character vs. Character
 One character in conflict with
another
 Disagreement, Competition,
Physical Fight
Four Types of Conflict
Character vs. Environment
 Character struggles to survive
against the harsh forces of
nature
 In conflict with dangers posed
by the natural world
Four Types of Conflict
Character vs. Society
 Character is in conflict with a group
 Character and/or his ideas are rejected
by group
 Character rejects group or its ideas
 Often found in conjunction with
Internal Conflict
Four Types of Conflict
Internal Conflict
 Conflict within the heart or
mind of a character
 Emotional upset
 Uncertainty about what to do
Patterns of Conflict
 Character
generally makes
several attempts to solve
problem—often 3 attempts
 Attempts are unsuccessful
 Character eventually must take
desperate measures to solve
problem
Outcomes of Conflict
Character overcomes Problem
(happy ending)—most common
outcome in stories
 Problem overcomes Character
(tragic ending)
 Character learns to live with the
Problem (problem unresolved)—
most realistic outcome

Final Word about Conflict
 Conflict
is driving force behind
story
 Without a problem there is no
story
 Considered most important of
literary elements