More Than Just a Struggle

It’s no secret that conflict is what drives most of the action in a story. Although this makes conflict interesting enough on the surface, conflict becomes even more intriguing when studied on a deeper level. There is a kind of mysterious complexity that comes not from specific conflicts in isolation, but instead from the interactions that occur between the two main kinds of conflict: internal conflict and external conflict. Let’s explore some of these interactions:

External conflicts are often tangible representations of internal conflicts. For example, in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the main character Elizabeth struggles with whether to marry for love or financial security. This internal conflict is mirrored as an external conflict, as Elizabeth is forced to choose whether or not to accept the marriage proposal of Mr. Collins, who she does not love but can provide her with the financial security she needs. 

In this way, internal conflicts are kind of like a “practice test” for external conflicts, which would be the actual “exam”. In the safety of their own minds, characters have the ability to play out scenarios and weigh options that pertain to an internal conflict. In this process, they are free to choose one side and then change their choice if they see fit, without any serious repercussions. However, once an external conflict is presented, the actual “exam” begins and characters must put the values they decided to uphold from their internal conflicts to the test. External conflicts do not offer many second chances and there are serious consequences that come with a character’s choices and actions. 

   

 This explains why external conflicts in literature, especially ones between two or more characters, can become so complicated and heated. Each character has already confronted the internal conflict (“practice test”)  version of the external conflict, and they are now facing the “exam”. Every character involved in an external conflict, whether they appear fierce or doubtful during confrontation, went through similar struggles while dealing with their internal conflicts. In this way, internal conflicts are a common ground even for the worst of enemies involved in an external conflict. 

I think I have now discovered my favorite aspect of literature!