Types of Conflict
A protagonist grapples with guilt after making a morally questionable decision. Identify the type of conflict.
What is Man vs. Self
This uncommon point of view places the reader directly into the action using “you,” often found in experimental or instructional texts.
What is Second-Person Narrative?
In Frozen, Elsa returns to Arendelle and reunites with Anna after the big battle. What plot stage is this?
What is falling action?
The underlying message or central idea explored through the narrative and character experiences.
What is theme?
In The Lego Movie, Emmet fights against a world where creativity is suppressed by a controlling leader. What’s the conflict type?
What is man vs. society?
In The Lion King, Simba and Scar’s rivalry exemplifies this type of external conflict.
What is Man vs. Man?
In this objective narration style, the narrator does not reveal any internal thoughts, only observable actions and dialogue.
What is Third-Person Objective?
In Toy Story 3, Andy gives his toys to Bonnie, closing the story arc. What plot element is this?
What is resolution?
Identify the literary element illustrated by the message “absolute power corrupts absolutely,” as seen in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
What is theme?
In Doctor Strange, Stephen battles a cosmic being to stop the destruction of time and reality. What’s this supernatural conflict?
What is man vs. supernatural?
A character must navigate a post-apocalyptic world devastated by environmental disaster. What type of conflict is this?
What is Man vs. Nature?
A narrative style in which the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.
What is Third-Person Omniscient?
In Avengers: Endgame, the moment Iron Man snaps his fingers is the story’s peak. What plot stage is this?
What is climax?
In The Maze Runner, the futuristic maze impacts how characters act and survive. What is this story element?
What is Setting?
In Wall-E, the robot Wall-E navigates a broken Earth and challenges a system that’s caused humanity’s downfall. What type of conflict is this? (Hint-its more than one type.)
What is Man vs. Technology and Man vs. Society?
A teenager challenges societal norms and laws in pursuit of justice.
What is Man Vs. Society?
A story told by an outside narrator who focuses on the internal experiences of only one character.
What is Third-Person Limited?
In Moana, when Moana sets sail and encounters obstacles, what part of the plot pyramid is happening?
What is rising action?
In Up, Carl starts as a grumpy, closed-off man but opens his heart through his journey. What kind of character is he?
What is a dynamic character?
In Jurassic World, the characters try to escape genetically engineered dinosaurs that have broken free. What’s the main conflict? There are two possible answers.
What is Man vs. Nature or Man vs. Technology?
A character becomes obsessed with creating artificial intelligence, which eventually turns against them.
What is Man Vs. Technology?
In this point of view, the narrator is a character in the story, providing limited and subjective insight.
What is First-Person Narrative?
In Finding Nemo, this stage introduces Marlin, Nemo, and their undersea world. What is this part of the plot pyramid?
What is exposition?
In The Incredibles, Edna Mode stays confident, sassy, and stylish throughout. What type of character is she?
What is a static character?
In The Dark Knight, Batman faces pressure from Gotham to hand over the masked vigilante identity, fights physically and ideologically with the Joker, and ultimately must choose between his personal morals and the safety of the city. Identify three types of conflict present in this storyline and explain them.
Man vs. Man – Batman vs. the Joker, a direct physical and philosophical confrontation.
Man vs. Society – Gotham turns on Batman, blaming him and demanding justice through conformity.
Man vs. Self – Bruce Wayne struggles with his own moral code, questioning whether doing the right thing still makes him a hero.