Man vs. self conflict is a very compelling type of literary conflict. Why? Well, readers love reading about characters like themselves—flawed individuals with something they must overcome to succeed, particularly when the stakes are big. The idea of a character being their own worst enemy is very human, and therefore very relatable. After all, most of us have long realised our biggest battle is usually with ourselves, and when that’s explained on the page and there’s uncertainty if that character can actually overcome those flaws, you have all the ingredients for a great story.
Defining man vs. self conflict
Man (or character) vs. self conflict is about the character’s inner struggle. In this kind of literary conflict, the protagonist must face a flaw, a moral dilemma, a choice between obligations, or develop the ability to rise above or overcome some kind of obstacle, such as self-doubt. At some point, they usually realise they can’t achieve their true happiness, desires, or motivations without dealing with this particular issue.
This kind of universal experience may not be the only conflict in the narrative, but it helps drive the plot forward in ways the story might not progress otherwise. We’ll look at this more in the examples. But in these stories, the character is not at one with themselves until this issue is overcome.
How this conflict can manifest
Some of the key ways a conflict can manifest in this type of literary conflict are for the character to face a need, such as letting go of the past, learning to trust, or accepting themselves in order to feel complete or fulfilled.
In A Bend in the Road (Nicholas Sparks), a hit-and-run driver kills Miles Ryan’s wife, and he must try to move on from her loss. In The Horse Whisperer (Nicholas Evans), a horse whisperer is hired to help a teenager and her horse back to health after a tragic accident. Trust is essential in that process.
However, the characters may also have other goals that they think will make them happy, which creates a sense of inner conflict, particularly when they realise that it might not be possible to achieve both.
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Why is it important?
Conflict in fiction is very important, largely because of how it can drive the story forward. In man vs. self conflict, the protagonist’s internal struggles take centre stage. Ultimately, the struggles also become a powerful tool for character development, giving the person and the story depth and meaning. The best stories have characters that evolve and change over the arc of the story, such as in the following examples.
Examples in famous novels
Emma Woodhouse in Emma (Jane Austen)
The gorgeous Emma in Austen’s novel of the same name is a renowned matchmaker. She takes pride in meddling in other people’s lives and credits herself with making matches. However, over time, she begins to realise she has hurt people by doing this—“Badly done” as Mr. Knightley tells her in the 1996 movie version—and must come to terms with her mistakes in order to secure her own happiness. Her inner struggles and growth as a character are part of the beauty of this novel.
Bilbo in The Hobbit (J. R. R. Tolkien)
In the film version, the wizard Gandalf speaks directly to the young Bilbo to get him to overcome his reservations and join the dwarven company setting out for Erebor:
You’ve been sitting quietly for far too long. Tell me, when did doilies and your mother’s dishes become so important to you? I remember a young Hobbit who was always running off in search of Elves in the woods … who would have liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire. The world is not in your books and maps. It’s out there.
Bilbo’s indecisiveness and “sitting quietly” are just some of the inner struggles he must overcome to fight the dragon and help the dwarves reclaim Erebor.
Unamed father in The Road (Cormac McCarthy)
In this post-apocalyptic novel, in a world of thieves, murders, and cannibals, the man’s primary internal conflict is how he can ensure the safety and survival of his son, and whether he can shoot him with his last remaining bullet to spare him any misery “when the time comes”.
He says to the boy, “You have my whole heart. You always did.” And: “He knew only that his child was his warrant. He said: If he is not the word of God God never spoke.”
Every day for the man is about staying alive in a very uncertain world in which there are frequent life-and-death decisions, and keeping their hope alive.
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Tips for Writers
Once you’ve understood what man vs. self conflict is and how important it is, it’s good to understand how to add it to your writing.
Layer in the conflict: The character should never just face the one conflict. The inner flaws or obstacles might be central to actually succeeding, but they might also be facing a dragon while struggling with self belief (think Frodo in The Hobbit, going into battle while learning to trust (like Katniss in The Hunger Games) or fighting a court case when dealing with prejudice (like Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird).
Tie internal conflict to external conflict: What goes on internally in a character’s thoughts needs to be apparent in their actions. These stories should not have pages of monologue but an explanation of external events that help illustrate the effect of this internal conflict, so it leaps out off the page to the reader.
Add backstory: Backstory, or flashbacks about the past, are a great way to reveal part of the character’s journey, flaws, and experiences that might explain why they are behaving in a particular way or have become who they are. This is particularly useful if the character is snobby, selfish, or difficult as the reader begins to understand why they might be like this. For example, a character’s trust issues might stem from a difficult childhood in which one or more parents abandoned them. Adding this kind of detail brings complexity to the character, depth, and realism.
Make sure it impacts the plot: Man vs self conflict can seem a primarily character-driven narrative, but the choices a person makes always impact other areas of their life. And this is primarily the formula that makes these stories particularly successful. Think about the ways their choices are affecting them, and those around them, and how they deal with the consequences.
Conclusion
Man vs. self conflict is all about character growth. As the character grows, they create an arc, a change, and opposing force that propels your story forward. Don’t be scared to create characters with real flaws that help create that internal battleground. Flawed is fun, so don’t be too nice about your characters, just be real.
