The Importance of Conflict in Fiction

Conflict

Conflict is a clash of principles or opinions, often with a personal basis. In every society, conflict is bound to occur at some point. It may be personal, political, class, caste, or racial. Conflict can also have an international basis. Whatever the underlying cause of conflict, it will always be present.

Characters in a story with conflicting desires often fight tooth and nail for the things they want. They may also question why they want these things, which is another type of conflict. In some cases, the characters will learn to want something different, which will ultimately lead to a resolution. Ultimately, they may even learn to accept their fate and find peace.

While conflict can often lead to hurtful reactions, if handled appropriately, it can be productive. It can also lead to creative problem solving, better teamwork, and stronger relationships. One of the best tools for resolving conflict is mediation. A third party mediator can help people brainstorm resolution ideas and help them identify a common standard that both parties can agree on. Such standards can be based on law, precedent, or other accepted principles.

Conflict is a common story device, and is essential for creating a compelling story. In novels and films, conflict is usually represented by an antagonist who is working against the protagonist. The antagonist can be an arch-villain, or any other opposing element that stands in the way of the protagonist’s main desire. The antagonist must be tailor-made to the protagonist’s main desire and must escalate over time.

Conflict between characters is another common source of plot. This is often an internal conflict that causes characters to make difficult decisions. For example, a character is struggling between two deeply held values and desires. Ultimately, conflict can help a character grow. It can even help a character move forward and get what they want. There are several different kinds of conflict in a novel, including internal and external.

Conflict in fiction is a natural part of every story. It is an inevitable part of any society and is caused by different viewpoints or principles. Conflict can be personal, racial, class, or even political, but is always a part of human life. In a novel, conflict is always present, whether it occurs between a protagonist and antagonist.

Structured conflict analysis is an important tool for analyzing conflict. It helps identify assumptions about causes and nature of conflict, and provides a common vocabulary for describing its dynamics. It can also illuminate emerging trends in a complex environment, allowing practitioners to better anticipate threats and respond to unforeseen events with increased agility. This type of analysis is critical to the development of any conflict-related strategy.

While it is natural for humans to be in conflict, it can also be difficult to deal with. Fortunately, there are ways to manage conflicts in the workplace and life.