Some of the best stories in literature feature character vs. character conflict. Would the Harry Potter series be the same without the intense struggle between the dark wizard Voldemort and the teenaged Harry? It certainly resonated with millions of readers around the world who read book after book to see who would ultimately kill the other to survive.
And what would fiction be without the Professor Moriaty and Sherlock Holmes conflict, and their battle of intellect and morality in the streets of Victorian London?
Character vs. character conflict has created some of the most powerful, dynamic and engaging stories in literature. In these stories, the two characters have opposing motivations, desires, needs or beliefs. And the storyline brings them into situations where those motivations and beliefs are tested.
External vs. Internal Conflict
A character vs. character conflict is always considered external because it is a struggle against an outside force, such as another character, nature or societal pressure. Whereas an internal conflict is ultimately within the mind or heart, the character vs. self. For example, perhaps a character is wrestling with the desire to express their feelings to someone, or be honest with themselves.
Gollum from The Lord of the Rings is an excellent example of this. He experiences an inner conflict between his desire for the ring and his desire to be free of it, loving and hating it like he loved and hated himself: “It is mine, I tell you. My own. My precious.”
They are very different types of conflict, and each is equally compelling. But in this article we are looking at external conflict.
Types of Character vs. Character Conflicts
In all these stories, a character might have to defeat another to restore order to the world, learn an important lesson, or mature and grow. There are many types of conflicts. Let’s take a look.
Protagonist vs. antagonist: In these stories, these are the central conflicts that drive the plot. The antagonist doesn’t always have to be human and could even be an alien or monster like Victor Frankenstein’s battle with his creation, or Frodo and the Nazgul in Lord of the Rings.
Ideological clashes: This occurs when two characters have competing worldviews or morals. The criminal mastermind of Professor Moriaty and his clash with the detective Sherlock Holmes is an excellent example of a clash of both intellect and morality. Romeo and Juliet is also an example of how the feud between the competing families fed the conflict and ultimate tragedy of that story.
Personal rivalries: These conflicts are rooted in jealousy, love, or ambition. In Hamlet, the prince wants to avenge his father’s death but has some moral reservations about killing his uncle Claudius. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby wants to steal the affections of his childhood love, Daisy, from her husband, who also represents the established wealthy class.
Misunderstandings: This kind of storyline includes smaller conflicts that add depth or twists. Pride and Prejudice is an excellent example of where the main characters, Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, must overcome their prejudices and misunderstandings. In these stories, while the conflict may be resolved with one character defeating another, it can also be resolved through persuasion or conversion.
RELATED READ: Character vs Society Conflict: definition and examples
Tools for Writing Engaging Character vs. Character Conflict
There are many ways to work conflict into stories. Here are some examples.
Dialogue: Tension can be built through subtext, arguments and confrontations. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy had the most heated (and delicious) exchanges that helped build conflict, as she used her sharp wit and strong opinions in reaction to his perceived pride and aloofness. One of her most famous lines is, “From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.”
Actions and reactions: This refers to when a character’s action initiates a conflict, and the physical interactions and choices of other characters in response to this escalate the conflict. These subsequent reactions create further tension and drive the plot forward.
Perspective: Dual POVs or limited perspectives can be used to create bias or reveal layers. This works by creating some distance between one character’s internal struggle and the way other’s perceive it.
Foreshadowing: This type of writing hints at potential clashes early on. It’s the promise of conflict to come. In Macbeth, the witch prophesies about his rise to power and his fall and death. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo has an early premonition of doom:
“I fear to early, for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night’s revels and expire the term
Of a despised life closed in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.”
Conclusion
There are many options in the character vs. character conflict that will drive the story forward and aid in character development. It will raise the stakes, keep readers engaged and aid in character development by creating complex people that are easy to connect with on an emotional level. Ultimately, it makes your work unforgettable.
