Conflict In Literature

There are many different elements of fiction. While takes several forms to make the writing interesting, conflict in literature can make the story interesting. Readers often relate to the characters in a story, poem, or play because it provokes the imagination, creates hope for the future, and confidence to live life. The conflict can be between two people or an inner conflict. Robert Frost "Road not Taken" the conflict is an inner conflict and in "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin and "Shiloh" by Bobbie Ann Mason the conflict is between two characters. Even though takes several forms to make the writing interesting, conflict in literature can make the story interesting because conflict can be between two characters or be an inner conflict and conflict can also be the plot.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost is a poem with inner conflict where the speaker has to choose which path to take in life. The speaker comes to a cross road where one side is heavily traveled and the other was traveled on less. This can be a major conflict for many people in life. The outcome will be unknown till the person follows a particular path. This can be troubling for some especially if the wrong choice is made. In this poem the less traveled path “made all the difference” (Kennedy & Gioia, p. 910).

The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin is a short story with two different conflicts. The first half of “The Story of an Hour” is a story about a women’s conflict with the expectations of the society. Her reaction to her husband’s death conflicts with the way other women react to the same situations. As we read the story, Mrs. Mallard is happy about her husband’s death. Initially she cries as it says in the story, “She did n...

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...ories set the tone for the stories. This made the story interesting and easy to keep on reading. The suspension on how the story was going to turn out also made it quite easy to keep reading. Without these aspects of the story it might have been difficult to read.

Indeed, while takes several forms to make the writing interesting, conflict in literature can make the story interesting. Without conflict the story or poem would be vey boring and unreadable. The other forms are needed, but without some conflict that people can relate to there is no reason to read. Literature can be very educational and without being able to connect with the story or poem it would be hard to get anything out of the reading.

Reference:

Kennedy, X. J. & Gioia, D. (1999). Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York: Longman