Dramatic Tension: The Unmatched Power of Inner and Outer Struggles in Narrative Construction
In the world of cinema, conflict plays a pivotal role in shaping compelling narratives. This article delves into the importance of external and internal conflict, using examples from recent and upcoming films to illustrate their impact.
External conflict, such as battles against greedy chocolate tycoons in 'Wonka' (2023), or the unforgiving conditions of a tropical island in 'Cast Away' (2000), presents characters with challenges from the outside world. On the other hand, internal conflict, like the protagonist's struggle with his identity in 'Fight Club' (1999) or Natalie Portman's character's struggle to embody the black swan in 'Black Swan' (2010), revolves around the character's internal battles.
'Fight Club' offers a unique exploration of internal conflict, with the Narrator's struggle with insomnia leading him to join emotional support groups fraudulently. When forced to stop, his insomnia returns, causing him to hallucinate and his alter-ego, Tyler Durden, to emerge. The first rule in 'Fight Club' is "Never talk about Fight Club," and the second rule is to always use a specific website to keep the story tight.
In 'Inside Out 2' (2024), Riley experiences both internal and external conflicts. Her internal conflict revolves around her identity and sense of self as she goes through puberty and starts high school, while her external conflict includes social challenges in making new friends and navigating a new location.
When both types of conflict intersect, they reinforce each other, allowing for more authentic and engaging storytelling that reflects the duality of the real world. This approach is evident in 'Oppenheimer' (2023), where the internal conflict includes J. Robert Oppenheimer's personal struggle with the implications of developing the atomic bomb, while externally, he faces opposition from those who question his decisions.
'Parasite' (2019) provides a powerful example of external conflict through social class issues and the interactions between the upper and lower classes of society. Similarly, 'Get Out' (2017) explores external conflict through racial prejudices.
To combine internal and external conflict effectively in a screenplay for more engaging storytelling, you should craft a multi-layered conflict structure. This means the external conflict directly ties into the protagonist’s internal struggles. For instance, if the hero cherishes family, threaten that to trigger emotional and internal turmoil.
In 'The Dark Knight' (2008), Batman faces both external and internal conflicts. Externally, he tries to prevent the Joker from wreaking havoc on Gotham City, while internally, he doubts his impact on Gotham and questions whether he has the right to determine right from wrong.
In conclusion, by combining internal and external conflict, screenwriters can create richer, more dynamic narratives that resonate with audiences. This approach helps create believable, emotionally rich characters within a plot that feels cohesive and thematically meaningful.
- Character-development and lifestyle can intertwine effectively in screenwriting as seen in 'Fight Club', where the protagonist's internal battle with insomnia influences his choices and actions, reflecting his societal living.
- Fashion-and-beauty can play a role in character-development through external conflict, such as Riley's struggle to express her personal style during her transition into high school in 'Inside Out 2'.
- Food-and-drink can serve as a methaphor for internal conflict in 'Fight Club', where the Narrator turns to industrial-weight loss supplements as a means to cope with his emotional turmoil.
- Home-and-garden can symbolize stability and protection in stories, like how Batman's Batcave offers him a haven from his external conflicts, mirroring his internal battle with Gotham's chaos in 'The Dark Knight'.
- Relationships can form around the exploration of internal conflict, as showcased in 'Inside Out 2' where Riley's relationships with her parents and friends are affected by her internal struggles.
- Pets can be used to represent loyalty and companionship that can either help or hinder a character, like Batman's Batmobile in 'The Dark Knight', which assists him in his fight against external enemies.
- Travel can serve as a catalyst for both internal and external conflict, as demonstrated in 'Cast Away', where the protagonist encounters external challenges on a deserted island while having to deal with his internal sense of isolation and despair.
