Name: ________________________________
Date: __________ Period: ___
Conflict – Identifying conflict in movies
Essential Questions: How does the author’s use of conflict drive the plot (sequence of
events) in a story? What types of conflict enhance a text?

External Conflict: A struggle between the character and an outside
force.
 Internal Conflict:
A struggle that takes place in a character's mind. For example, a
character may have to decide between right and wrong or between two solutions to a
problem.
1. PERSON VS. PERSON:
When the person (character) experiences conflict with another character in the story.
{external}
2. PERSON VS. SELF:
When the person (character) experiences conflict within himself.
{internal}
3. PERSON VS. NATURE:
When the person (character) experiences conflict with aspects of nature (such as weather,
animals, etc.)
{external}
4. PERSON VS. FATE:
When the person (character) experiences conflict with aspects in society out of his control (such
as the law, rules set in society, etc.)
{external}
Directions: Working with your partner, identify several movies and the type of
conflict in each movie.
Type of Conflict
Movie
Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________ Period: ___
Sample CONFLICT paragraph
North by Night, by Katherine Ayres
In the novel North by Night the conflict of person vs. society
emerges several times. In the beginning of the book, we see evidence
of this when Lucinda, the protagonist, agrees to help hide a runaway
slave family from their owner. In her state, Ohio, it was illegal to
help slaves on the Underground Rail Road and punishable by a big
money fine. Lucinda believes slavery is wrong, so she goes against
her community, or society, by helping the slave family. This shows
us just how brave Lucinda is despite the danger that surrounds
her. Another piece of evidence is found in the middle of the story
when she lies to the family’s former slave owner. Her society thinks
slavery is wrong and would expect her to tell the truth to keep
slavery in Ohio. She kept the slave owner from taking the runaway
slaves back to slavery by lying. Lucinda went against the Fugitive
Slave Act, a law of her society. We also see evidence of this at the end
of the story when Lucinda agrees to take Hope to freedom in Canada.
Her society thinks slaves shouldn’t have the right to freedom. By
risking herself and taking Hope to Canada, Lucinda believes
against slavery. Against all odds and punishments, she thinks
everyone should have freedom whether you’re a slave or not. Lucinda
was willing to risk herself for what she believed, even if it was against
what her society thought was right.
What does this
reveal about
the character?
What does this
reveal about the
character?
DIRECTIONS: Now brainstorm from one of your summer
reading novels.
Type of CONFLICT:
Example (evidence)
from the text:
Dig Deeper: Even
though the character
has to endure this
conflict, what does this
reveal about the
character?
Because of the death of
her father, Cinderella is
forced to become a slave to
her step sisters and step
mother. Cinderella has no
choice in the matter. Her
fate brings her into servant
hood.
Even though Cinderella
has no choice but to serve
her evil step sisters and
step mother, she does not
lose her hope or joy. This
helps her endure to the
end until she finally meets
her prince and finds
happiness in a new life.
Sample
Person vs. Fate (society)
1.
2.
1.
2.
1.
2.
Type of CONFLICT:
3.
4.
Example (evidence)
from the text:
3.
Dig Deeper: Even
though the character
has to endure this
conflict, what does this
reveal about the
character?
3.
4.
4.
DIRECTIONS: Now, let’s write our paragraph. I gave you A LOT of room.
In the novel, ________________________ we see person versus
______________ conflict emerge several times. We first see evidence
of this when ______________________________________________________
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_________________________________________.This reveals to
us that____________________________________________________
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_______We also see evidence of person versus _____________
conflict when ______________________________________________
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___________________________. This reveals to us that _______
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