What is Internal Conflict? Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips

What is Internal Conflict? Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips
2 min read

What exactly qualifies as a captivating character? Frequently, it’s their internal conflict, the war they are fighting within. Their judgements, behaviors, and eventually, their destiny are shaped by this unseen tug-of-war.

However, what is internal conflict precisely, and why is it so important in narratives? Let’s get started and explore the intricacies of internal conflict, including its various forms, instances, and effective writing techniques.

Internal conflict occurs within a character’s mind, where they struggle with opposing desires, emotions, or beliefs. It’s the quintessential “man vs. self” dilemma, often driving the narrative’s emotional depth.

Difference Between Internal and External Conflict

Internal conflict is all about the struggle within the individual, whereas external conflict sets the character against an external force (such as another character, society, or nature). While both are necessary, internal struggle gives people a psychological depth that helps them come across as genuine and approachable.

Types of Internal Conflict

Emotional Conflict

Internal conflict, often known as emotional conflict, is a crucial component of narrative in which characters struggle with their own emotions, wants, or convictions.

Tension and drama are produced when a character experiences this kind of internal conflict. For example, emotional conflict arises when the protagonist is caught between familial obligations and personal goals.

It gives stories more levels of complexity by enhancing character and story dynamics. Internal conflict is a tool used by writers to delve into psychological depths and push their characters towards development or internal resolution.

Moral Conflict

Moral conflict in fiction is a basic kind of internal conflict that revolves around moral choices that characters must make. It happens when a character has to decide between moral imperatives that conflict with one another or between right and wrong.

Characters that engage in this kind of conflict frequently experience mental stress as they struggle with their morals, ethics, and sense of right and wrong.

A protagonist might debate whether to betray a friend for the sake of the greater good, for example, underscoring the difficult decisions that fuel internal conflict in stories....Continue reading 

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