Theory of Messages Review of Related Theories
Then, the writer reviews the types of conflicts in literary work. Firstly, the writer discusses about internal conflict. Internal conflict exists
inside the character; it sometimes called as ‘man versus self’. This form of
conflict is central to the character, or characters. Commonly, every good character suffers from the weight of internal conflict, but internal conflict
is the least complicated form of conflict. The external conflict is different with internal conflicts. External
conflict deals with the problem faced by the character in daily life. External conflict is more complex than internal conflict. It is because
external conflict happens when the character involves and interacts in world complex situation. The problems of external conflicts are such as
the conflicts with family, community, nature, government, and other characters. In literary work, external conflict can be categorized as: man
versus man, man versus nature, man versus society and man versus fate. a.
Man vs. man is the type of external conflicts when a character struggles against another character. The way the characters solve
the conflicts occurs from moral, religious or social differences. Man vs. man external conflict is sometimes equalized with the
character of a hero fights in a war with villain character. b.
Man vs. nature conflicts happen when characters fight against dangerous phenomenon of nature. For example, the character
survives from storm which happened during winter. That is the example of man vs. nature.
c. Man versus society. This external conflict happens when the
characters face the society and culture. The conflict of man vs. society happens when society forces the characters to struggle
against the evil of society or oppressive culture. d.
Man vs. fate happens as external conflicts while the characters are forced to face their unknown destiny. The character does not
have the strength to fight against the fate.