Ever notice how stories grip you in two distinct ways? Sometimes it's the epic battle between a hero and villain, while other times it's the character wrestling with their own demons and doubts.

That's the essence of external and internal conflict in storytelling – the two engines that drive virtually every memorable narrative ever created.

By the end of this post, you'll understand exactly how to identify, create, and balance both conflict types to craft stories that resonate on multiple levels.

Internal and external conflict don't just make stories interesting – they make them real. They transform flat characters into complex beings whose struggles mirror our own.

But here's what most writers get wrong: relying too heavily on one type while neglecting the other...

A. Clear definition and key elements of external conflict

External conflict happens when your character slams into obstacles from the outside world. It's the classic "character vs. something else" scenario that gets readers flipping pages.

The key elements? Pretty straightforward:

• A character with goals or desires
• An opposing force (person, nature, society, technology)
• Visible, tangible clashes
• Real-world consequences
• Physical or social barriers to overcome

External conflicts aren't just problems—they're the roadblocks that force characters to make tough choices, reveal their true nature, and usually grow in the process.

B. Common types of external conflicts in literature and life

Ever notice how external conflicts fall into specific patterns? Writers have categorized these battles for centuries:

• Character vs. Character: The classic showdown between protagonist and antagonist. Think Batman vs. Joker or your ongoing feud with that neighbor who never returns your garden tools.
• Character vs. Nature: When Mother Nature becomes the enemy. Survival stories like "The Revenant" or that time your camping trip got interrupted by an unexpected blizzard.
• Character vs. Society: One person against cultural norms, laws, or social expectations. Think Katniss in "The Hunger Games" or trying to challenge an unfair workplace policy.
• Character vs. Technology/Machinery: When our creations turn against us. "Terminator" shows this perfectly, but it's also you fighting with your printer before an important meeting.

C. How external conflicts drive plot development

External conflicts aren't just fancy literary devices—they're the engine pulling your story forward.

They create immediate tension. When your protagonist faces a physical threat, readers feel that heart-pounding urgency right away.

These conflicts force characters to act, not just think. A tornado bearing down on your town doesn't leave room for endless contemplation—you move or get moved.

External conflicts also set up perfect domino effects. One problem leads to another, which creates another, until your character is neck-deep in complications they never saw coming.

The best stories use external conflicts to trigger internal ones. Your character might be fighting a villain, but that battle forces them to confront their own fears, prejudices, or weaknesses.

D. Real-world examples of external conflicts

External conflicts aren't just for books—they're everywhere in real life:

Politics: Republicans vs. Democrats, with policy battles that affect millions.

Sports: Every championship game represents the purest form of character vs. character conflict.

Environment: Communities fighting against corporate pollution or natural disasters.

Workplace: That project deadline you're racing against? Classic external conflict.

Social Movements: Civil rights movements represent the character vs. society conflict in its most meaningful form.

Even everyday situations qualify—getting stuck in traffic when you're late for a meeting or arguing with your insurance company about a claim.

The most compelling real-world conflicts, like their fictional counterparts, don't just test our abilities—they challenge our values and reveal our true character.

A. Comprehensive definition of internal conflict

Internal conflict happens when a character (or real person) experiences a struggle within themselves. It's that mental tug-of-war between competing thoughts, emotions, desires, or values. Unlike external conflict, which pits someone against outside forces, internal conflict is entirely personal and psychological.

Think about it: Have you ever wanted two opposing things at once? Or known what's right but felt pulled toward the wrong choice? That's internal conflict at work.

What makes internal conflict so powerful is that it creates depth. Characters wrestling with inner demons feel more human, more relatable. These conflicts reveal who someone truly is when nobody's watching.

B. Psychological aspects of internal struggles

Internal conflicts aren't just literary devices—they're fundamental to human psychology. These struggles often trigger the stress response, causing physical symptoms like increased heart rate, muscle tension, and that knot in your stomach when you're torn between choices.

Our brains hate cognitive dissonance—that uncomfortable feeling when we hold contradictory beliefs or values. We're wired to seek harmony in our thoughts, which is why internal conflicts can be so darn distressing.

These battles happen in different parts of our minds. Sometimes it's the logical brain versus emotional impulses. Other times, it's short-term desires fighting against long-term goals. The most complex conflicts involve core values clashing against each other.

C. How internal conflicts shape character development

Nothing transforms a character quite like internal conflict. It's the secret ingredient that turns flat characters into complex, three-dimensional people.

Internal conflicts force characters to confront who they really are and what they truly value. That self-examination inevitably leads to growth, whether they overcome their demons or succumb to them.

The best character arcs show this evolution step by step:

• Initial comfort zone
• Internal conflict emerges
• Struggle and resistance
• Crisis point
• Resolution (for better or worse)
• Transformation

Characters facing similar external challenges will respond differently based on their internal conflicts. That's why internal struggles reveal more about someone than their outside battles ever could.

D. Types of internal conflicts (moral dilemmas, competing desires, etc.)

Internal conflicts come in several flavors, each with its own psychological texture:

Person vs. Self: The classic identity crisis. Who am I? What do I stand for?

Moral Dilemmas: When two values you hold dear clash head-on. Think a doctor who values both honesty and protecting patients from harm.

Competing Desires: Wanting two things that can't coexist. Like craving both security and adventure.

Duty vs. Heart: When obligations clash with personal desires. The responsible choice versus what makes you happy.

Belief vs. Doubt: Religious or philosophical questioning that shakes someone's worldview.

Rational vs. Emotional: When logic points one way but feelings pull in another direction.

E. Recognizing internal conflicts in yourself

We're all walking battlefields of internal conflict. Spotting your own inner struggles is the first step to working through them.

Pay attention to these telltale signs:

• Procrastination on important decisions
• Feeling physically tense when thinking about certain topics
• Frequently changing your mind
• Experiencing guilt after making choices
• Justifying your actions excessively

Your body often signals internal conflict before your mind acknowledges it. That uneasy feeling in your gut when facing a decision? It's worth listening to.

Try this quick exercise: Think about a recent difficult decision. What values or desires were competing within you? Which one won out, and why? Und

erstanding your patterns helps you navigate future internal conflicts with more awareness.

Key differences in manifestation and resolution

External and internal conflicts couldn't be more different in how they show up in stories. External conflicts happen out in the open—they're the fistfights, the arguments, the race against time, the battle against nature. You can see them, hear them, sometimes even smell them.

Internal conflicts? They're the silent battles raging inside a character's mind. The moral dilemmas keep them up at night. The war between what they want and what they should do.

Resolution paths diverge dramatically too:

External Conflict	Internal Conflict
Resolved through action	Resolved through decision-making
Others can directly help	Others can only influence
Clear endpoint	Often ongoing or ambiguous
Visible victory or defeat	Private resolution

How the two conflict types interact and influence each other

External conflicts often trigger internal ones. A character facing a physical threat might question their courage. A relationship conflict might spark soul-searching about personal values.

But the reverse happens just as frequently. A character's internal struggle with jealousy might explode into an external confrontation. Their fear of failure might cause them to sabotage relationships.

The most powerful stories create this feedback loop where:

• External events force internal reckonings
• Internal decisions drive external actions
• Each amplifies the other in an escalating spiral

The relative impact on character growth

Internal conflicts are the real engines of character development. They force characters to examine their beliefs, confront their flaws, and evolve their worldviews.

External conflicts provide the pressure that makes this growth necessary. They're the crucible that forces change.

The deepest character transformations happen when external challenges push characters to their breaking points, forcing them to resolve their internal contradictions or fail completely.

Which conflict type creates more compelling narratives

Neither type wins this contest alone. The most gripping stories weave both together masterfully.

Pure external conflict creates action-packed but shallow stories. All spectacle, no substance.

Pure internal conflict risks becoming navel-gazing and static. All thinking, no doing.

The magic happens when external conflicts externalize internal ones—when the outer challenge perfectly represents the inner struggle. Think of the reluctant hero whose physical journey mirrors their spiritual one. Or the detective whose case forces them to confront their own demons.

The best narratives make both conflicts interdependent. You can't resolve one without addressing the other.

A. Effective approaches for resolving external conflicts

External conflicts are like those fights you have with your neighbor over their too-loud music. You can't just ignore them and hope they go away. Here's what actually works:

1. Direct conversation - Just talk it out! Most external conflicts worsen because people avoid the uncomfortable chat.
2. Active listening - This isn't just nodding while planning your rebuttal. Truly hear what the other person is saying.
3. Find common ground - Even bitter enemies usually share some goals. Start there.
4. Bring in a mediator - Sometimes you need that neutral third party who won't take sides.
5. Set boundaries - Clear lines in the sand help prevent future blow-ups.

B. Techniques for addressing internal conflicts

That battle in your head? It's often tougher than any external fight. Try these:

• Self-reflection - Journaling works wonders for untangling those messy thoughts.
• Mindfulness practices - Meditation helps you observe your conflicting desires without judgment.
• Values clarification - When you know what truly matters to you, decisions get easier.
• Talk therapy - Sometimes you need another perspective to see your blind spots.
• Acceptance - Not all internal conflicts need resolution—sometimes acknowledging the contradiction is enough.

C. When conflicts should remain unresolved for narrative impact

Not every conflict needs a neat bow. Sometimes, leaving things unresolved creates:

• Tension that drives character development
• Space for audience interpretation
• A more realistic portrayal of life (because hey, not everything gets resolved)
• Opportunities for sequel hooks
• Emotional resonance that perfect endings lack

D. The role of compromise versus conquest

Compromise and conquest aren't just fancy words—they're completely different approaches:

Compromise	Conquest
Both sides give something up	One side gets everything
Preserves relationships	Often damages connections
Creates sustainable solutions	May lead to future rebellion
Requires vulnerability	Requires power
Works for ongoing relationships	Sometimes necessary in non-negotiable situations

The best conflict-resolvers know when to compromise and when to stand firm. It's not always about winning—sometimes it's about what you keep after the dust settles.

How conflicts appear in literature versus film

In books, conflicts live in your head. The battle between Frodo and his desire for the ring? That's all words on a page until your imagination kicks in. Literature thrives on internal struggles because authors can literally tell you what characters are thinking.

Films flip the script. They're visual beasts. That subtle conflict happening in a character's mind? Good luck showing that without some dialogue or clever camera work. Movies excel at external conflict – the fistfights, car chases, and dramatic confrontations we can actually see.

Take "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy versus its film adaptation. The book drowns you in the father's agonizing thoughts about protecting his son in a post-apocalyptic world. The movie? It has to show his struggle through actions, facial expressions, and sparse dialogue.

Conflict portrayal in video games and interactive media

Video games change everything because suddenly you're not just watching conflict – you're causing it. That boss battle in Elden Ring? You decide how to approach it.

Interactive media creates a unique triangle: conflicts between characters, conflicts within the story, and conflicts you experience as a player (like getting stuck on a difficult level).

Games like "The Last of Us" blend cinematic storytelling with player agency, creating layered conflicts where your choices actually matter. Unlike books or movies, games often use mechanical conflict – the literal struggle against game systems – to reinforce narrative tensions.

Cultural differences in conflict representation

Different cultures frame conflicts through their own unique lenses. Western narratives often glorify the individual hero triumphing against overwhelming odds. Eastern storytelling frequently emphasizes harmony, collective responsibility, and conflicts that arise from disrupted balance.

Japanese anime like "Spirited Away" presents conflict not as good versus evil, but as understanding versus ignorance. Compare that to Hollywood blockbusters where conflicts typically have clear heroes and villains.

Indigenous storytelling traditions often portray conflicts between humans and nature, emphasizing respect and coexistence rather than domination.

Evolution of conflict depictions throughout history

Ancient epics like "The Iliad" portrayed conflict as the domain of gods and legendary heroes, larger than life and deeply tied to fate.

Medieval literature introduced moral conflicts between virtue and sin, while Renaissance works began exploring conflicts between individual desire and societal expectations.

The 20th century brought psychological conflicts to the forefront. Modernist writers like Virginia Woolf and James Joyce dove deep into characters' internal contradictions.

Today's stories reflect our complicated world with morally gray characters and conflicts without easy answers. Shows like "Breaking Bad" blur the line between protagonist and antagonist, while films like "Parasite" highlight social conflicts that have no simple solutions.

Bringing Conflicts to Resolution

External and internal conflicts are fundamental elements in storytelling and real life, each serving unique purposes. While external conflicts pit characters against outside forces like other people or nature, internal conflicts emerge from within through moral dilemmas, emotional struggles, and competing desires. These conflict types often intertwine, creating rich narrative layers across literature, film, and other media forms.

Recognizing the distinction between these conflict types empowers us to better analyze stories and address our own life challenges. Whether implementing the negotiation strategies suited for external conflicts or the self-reflection techniques needed for internal struggles, understanding conflict types provides valuable tools for resolution. Next time you encounter conflict in a story or in your own experience, consider its nature and the appropriate approach to bring it to a meaningful resolution.