Types of Conflict

Man v. Fate

Man versus fate occurs when a character is compelled to follow an unknown destiny. Man versus fate conflict breeds internal conflict, while forcing a character to consciously, or subconsciously, act on his or her fate. The Star Wars example persists here because while Luke Skywalker chases his man versus man conflict, he is also propelled into the life of a Jedi as his destiny, a destiny he is powerless to resist.

Man v. Man

Man versus man is the most fundamental type of external conflict. This form of external conflict occurs when a character struggles against another character. These struggles may be born from moral, religious or social differences and may be emotional, verbal or physical conflicts. Man versus man is almost always the conflict present when a hero fights a villain. This form of conflict may present alone, or in conjunction with other external conflicts. Star War's is an excellent example, where Luke Skywalker's fight with Darth Vader is a man versus man conflict that also treads into the realm of man versus fate.

Man v. Nature

Man versus nature conflicts occur when a character, or characters, find themselves at odds with forces of nature. A character struck by lightning, characters whose boat sinks in a storm and a character who struggles against hypothermia in a snowstorm are all characters experiencing man versus nature conflicts.

Man v. Self

Also known as internal conflict, this type of conflict exists inside the character. Struggles with morality, fate, desire and belief, to name a few. This form of conflict is central to the character, or characters and must be resolved by the character alone. Every good character suffers from the weight of internal conflict, it lends them an air of complex believability.

Man v. Society

This external conflict exists when characters struggle against the foundations of their culture and government. Works where character's battle evil, oppressive cultures are characteristic of man versus society conflict. One example of man versus society is Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 a novel about a fireman who, though it's his job to burn books, secretly collects them.