Every great story needs conflict—it’s the engine that drives the plot and challenges the characters. In literature, conflict comes in two main forms: internal and external. While internal conflict deals with a character’s inner struggles, external conflict focuses on the outside forces that oppose the character. From epic battles to survival stories, external conflict creates tension, excitement, and growth in literature.
In this article, we’ll explore what external conflict is, its main types, famous examples in literature, and how it compares with internal conflict.
What Is External Conflict?
External conflict in literature is a struggle between a character and an outside force. Unlike internal conflict, which takes place in the mind or emotions of the character, external conflict pushes the character to act, make decisions, and face challenges in the physical or social world.
Common outside forces include:
- Other characters
- Society and its rules
- Nature and the environment
- Technology or machines
- Supernatural forces
Types of External Conflict
Character vs. Character
- The most common type of conflict.
- Involves direct opposition between two characters—often a hero and a villain.
- Example: The rivalry between Harry Potter and Voldemort.
Character vs. Society
- A character challenges laws, traditions, or social expectations.
- Example: In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Katniss rebels against the oppressive Capitol.
Character vs. Nature
- The protagonist struggles against natural forces such as weather, animals, or disasters.
- Example: In Jack London’s To Build a Fire, the character battles deadly cold in the Yukon.
Character vs. Technology
- A conflict between humans and machines, artificial intelligence, or scientific advancement.
- Example: In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is destroyed by the monster he creates.
Character vs. Supernatural
- A struggle against forces beyond the natural world, such as fate, gods, or ghosts.
- Example: In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth battles prophecy, witches, and fate itself.
External Conflict Examples in Literature
- William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – The feud between the Montagues and Capulets creates a character vs. character and character vs. society conflict.
- George Orwell’s 1984 – Winston Smith fights against Big Brother and an oppressive society.
- Homer’s The Odyssey – Odysseus faces multiple external conflicts: storms, monsters, and the gods.
- Moby-Dick by Herman Melville – Captain Ahab’s obsession with the white whale represents a character vs. nature conflict.
External Conflict vs. Internal Conflict
While external conflict comes from outside forces, internal conflict happens inside a character’s mind.
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External Conflict:
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Struggle against another character, society, nature, technology, or the supernatural.
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Example: Katniss fighting the Capitol in The Hunger Games.
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Internal Conflict:
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A battle within—decisions, guilt, fear, or desires.
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Example: Hamlet’s hesitation and self-doubt in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
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Conclusion:
External conflict in literature is one of the most important storytelling devices. By pitting characters against outside forces, authors create tension, drama, and opportunities for growth. Whether it’s a duel between rivals, a fight against society’s rules, or a struggle for survival in the wild, external conflict keeps readers turning pages.
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It builds suspense.
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It reveals character strength and weakness.
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It drives the plot forward.
By understanding external conflict, readers can better appreciate the challenges characters face and how these struggles shape unforgettable stories.