The Basics
Name the three types of conflict
Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Man, Man vs. Self
How could Osborn be characterized?
Young, confident, knowledgeable, but a bit reckless.
What is the dominant conflict?
Ivan’s internal struggle to tell Vladimir’s mother about his death (Man vs. Self).
What internal conflict does Jerry face?
Proving his maturity to himself (Man vs. Self).
Give a biblical example of a man vs. nature conflict.
Many possible answers, one being Mark 4 where Jesus tells the storm to "Be still" and it does.
Protagonist = main character
Antagonist = opposes the protagonist
How is Nace characterized?
Older, experienced, cautious, shaped by loss of a friend on K3.
What is the secondary conflict?
The duel that kills Vladimir (Man vs. Man).
What natural forces challenge Jerry?
Water pressure, exhaustion, bloody noses (Man vs. Nature).
Give an example of a man vs. man conflict in the Bible.
David vs. Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
Are all protagonists heroes? Explain
No—heroes are protagonists with outstanding morals; not all fit that description.
Name one man vs. man conflict from "Top Man."
Osborn vs. Nace (which route to take, whether to continue on, etc.)
How is the dominant conflict resolved?
It isn’t really—Ivan runs away, leaving the truth untold.
What does Jerry's internal conflict reveal about him?
He is determined, ambitious, but still immature.
Give an example of a man vs. self conflict in the Bible.
Peter denies Jesus three times and has to deal with the guilt and shame afterward (Luke 22)
What is foreshadowing? Give an example from a story we read.
Author hinting at future events; Nace’s axe foreshadows his death and legacy.
What is the final conflict Nace faces at the end of the story? (Two possible answers)
Man vs. Self—chooses to endanger himself to save Osborn.
Man vs. Nature-- Loses his life to the elevation of the mountain and conditions he was in
What point of view is the story told in? Why is it important?
Third-person omniscient: It shows Ivan’s inner struggles and Vladimir’s mother’s perspective.
How does the story end?
Jerry does not succeed, returns home, accepts his role as a child.
What Bible verse relates to Nace's final act of saving Osborn?
Multiple possible answers
John 15:13 -- Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
In the painting, The Literary Joust, what could the battling books represent in reference to the stories we've read?
Conflicts within a story fighting for dominance (ex: external duel vs. Ivan’s inner struggle in “The Duel”)
Why is the discovery of Nace's axe at the summit significant?
It shows Osborn actually made the summit but gave Nace the credit.
“His soul was oppressed by a strange lack of harmony.”
Who is this quote talking about? What does it mean in context of the story?
The narrator speaks of Ivan here. It vividly describes the unsettled feeling he was wrestling with as he navigated telling Vladimir's mother of her son's death.
Why is Jerry's failure still important for his character development?
It teaches him acceptance of his limitations and that maturity comes in time.
Which Biblical truth can guide us in our response to conflict?
God calls us to face struggles with faith, courage, and discernment.