Internal vs External Conflict: Key Differences & Uses

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 5 min read

Imagine you're reading a captivating book or watching an engaging movie. You're drawn in by the complex characters, the riveting plot, and the way the characters face challenges. The heart of these challenges? Conflict. It's the engine that drives the story, creating tension, suspense, and intrigue. But did you know that there are two primary types of conflict in storytelling? Let's dive into the fascinating world of internal vs. external conflict.

Defining Internal and External Conflict

The world of storytelling is full of hurdles and challenges that our beloved characters must overcome. These hurdles come in two main types — internal conflict and external conflict. Understanding the differences between these two can add depth to your writing and reading experiences. So, let's break down what each type of conflict entails.

What is Internal Conflict?

Internal conflict is a struggle that happens within a character's mind. It's like a psychological tug of war. For instance, consider Hamlet from Shakespeare's famous play. Hamlet wrestles with a moral dilemma — whether to avenge his father's death or not. This is a classic example of internal conflict.

What is External Conflict?

External conflict, on the other hand, occurs outside of the character. This type of conflict is usually with an opposing force, such as another character, society, or nature. Think of Harry Potter's endless battles with Lord Voldemort in J.K. Rowling's iconic series — that's a prime example of external conflict.

Now that we've defined internal and external conflict, it's time to look at how they differ from each other. This understanding will help you appreciate and navigate the complexities that lie in the heart of your favorite stories.

Distinguishing Internal from External Conflict

While both types of conflict are vital to storytelling, they have distinctive characteristics that set them apart. Understanding these key differences can help you identify and appreciate the nuances in a narrative. Let's delve into these differences.

Key Characteristics of Internal Conflict

Internal conflict often deals with decisions, fears, and dilemmas. Here are a few key elements of internal conflict:

Psychological: It usually involves a mental or emotional struggle within the character. This could be a moral quandary, a fear, or a desire.
Introspective: It encourages self-reflection in the character, leading them to examine their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.
Character Development: It often plays a big part in the character's growth or transformation throughout the story.

Key Characteristics of External Conflict

External conflict is about outside forces that pose challenges to the protagonist. Here are a few distinctive characteristics of external conflict:

Physical: It often involves a physical struggle between characters, or against nature or societal norms.
Action-Packed: It usually drives the action of the story, leading to climactic battles or confrontations.
Plot Development: It often propels the plot forward, creating tension and suspense that keeps the audience hooked.

By distinguishing between internal and external conflict, you can better appreciate the intricacies of your favorite books and movies. Now, let's take a look at how these types of conflict play out in practice.

Applying Internal Conflict

Internal conflict is a powerful tool in storytelling. It adds depth to characters, creates emotional resonance, and drives personal growth. But how do we apply it effectively?

Practical Uses of Internal Conflict

Internal conflict can be used in various ways to enhance a narrative:

Character Development: Use internal conflict to challenge your characters' beliefs and force them to grow or change.
Creating Suspense: Keep your audience guessing by creating internal conflicts that leave them uncertain about what the character will do next.
Adding Depth: Use internal conflict to explore your characters' fears, desires, and motivations, adding complexity to their personalities.

Examples of Internal Conflict

Let's illustrate these concepts using some examples from popular culture:

Hamlet's Dilemma: In Shakespeare's "Hamlet", the titular character struggles with the decision to avenge his father's murder — a classic example of an internal conflict.
Frodo's Struggle: In "The Lord of the Rings", Frodo battles with the corrupting influence of the Ring, creating a powerful internal conflict that drives the character's development.
Walter White's Transformation: In "Breaking Bad", Walter White's transition from a mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug lord is driven by internal conflicts about morality and survival.

Applying internal conflict effectively can create compelling, relatable characters and drive narrative tension. Next, let's explore how external conflict is used in storytelling.

Applying External Conflict

While internal conflict is a battle within, external conflict comes from outside. It's the showdown between the hero and the villain, the clash between opposing forces, the obstacle that our protagonist needs to overcome. So how do we apply external conflict to make our stories more engaging?

Practical Uses of External Conflict

External conflict serves several important purposes in a narrative:

Driving the Plot: It provides the main obstacle that propels the story forward.
Defining the Stakes: It establishes what's at risk and why the outcome matters.
Highlighting Character Traits: It reveals aspects of a character's personality under pressure.

Examples of External Conflict

Let's consider some examples of external conflict from popular stories:

The Death Star: In "Star Wars", the Rebel Alliance's fight against the Death Star provides a clear external conflict.
The Jurassic Park: In "Jurassic Park", the struggle for survival against dinosaurs is the main external conflict.
The White Walkers: In "Game of Thrones", the Seven Kingdoms' battle against the White Walkers is a key external conflict that drives the plot.

By effectively applying external conflict, you can create a dramatic narrative that keeps your audience hooked from start to finish. But what happens when you combine both internal and external conflict? Let's find out in the next section.

Using Both Internal and External Conflict

When a story uses both internal and external conflict, it becomes a potent narrative. This combination helps to create multi-dimensional characters and intricate plot lines, which can captivate the audience.

How to Balance Internal and External Conflict

Balancing internal and external conflict is like walking a tightrope. Lean too much on one side, and the story becomes either too introspective or too action-driven. Here are some tips on achieving a good balance:

Intertwine the Conflicts: Make the external conflict a reflection of the internal one. For instance, a character's fear of heights (internal conflict) becomes critical when he has to scale a tower to save someone (external conflict).
Let Conflicts Evolve: As the story advances, allow the conflicts to change and grow. This keeps the narrative fresh and engaging.
Use Conflict to Show Growth: Use the resolution of conflicts to show character development. Overcoming external conflict could lead to resolving internal conflict, symbolizing personal growth.

Examples of Balanced Conflict

Wondering how to master the balancing act between internal and external conflict? Here are some examples:

Harry Potter: In J.K. Rowling's series, Harry battles Voldemort (external conflict), while also dealing with his fears and insecurities (internal conflict).
The Hunger Games: Katniss Everdeen faces the deadly Hunger Games (external conflict) while struggling with her feelings and moral dilemmas (internal conflict).
Toy Story: Woody fights to reclaim his place as Andy's favorite toy (external conflict) while dealing with jealousy and fear of abandonment (internal conflict).

Remember, a well-crafted story skillfully balances both internal and external conflict. The result is a narrative that resonates deeply with readers. So, are you ready to create your engaging tale of internal vs. external conflict?

If you're interested in diving deeper into the concepts of internal and external conflict, we highly recommend checking out the workshop titled 'Instant Gratification vs Longevity Within Your Projects' by Celina Rodriguez. This workshop will provide you with valuable insights into the differences between short-term satisfaction and long-term success within your creative projects, and how to effectively balance both to achieve your goals.