Conflict, Mood, and Tone

Readers typically get to know characters early on in the novel or story. However, as a story progresses, conflict soon develops. How a character acts when faced with a conflict reveals a lot about his or her personality, and the reader learns even more about that character. Let's take a look at the different types of conflicts that a character might face:

Internal Conflict occurs when there is a psychological or mental struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character

The following type of conflict is an Internal Conflict:

Man vs. Self

Example: When Sam finds $1.00 on the ground at school, and he can't decide whether he should keep it or try to find the owner.

Explanation: There is a conflict in Sam's own mind as he tries to decide whether he should do the right thing.

External Conflict occurs when there is a struggle between a literary or dramatic character and an outside force such as nature or another character

The following types of conflicts are External Conflicts:

Man vs. Man

Example: When a brother and sister argue over the last piece of cake.

Explanation: Since the problem is between two people, the conflict is man vs. man.

Man vs. Society

Example: When people of color fight for equality.

Explanation: Since a people group is working against a large society for justice, the conflict is man vs. society.

Man vs. Nature

Example: When people have to seek shelter as a tornado destroys the town.

Explanation: Since the problem occurs with an element of nature, the conflict is man vs. nature.

Remember that how a character acts during conflict reveals a lot about the character. Similarly, a character's choices during conflict also work to create the theme or teach the reader something.

Learn more about conflict through the video below:

Mood and Tone

After learning about characterization and conflict, readers can learn even more about the theme, or main idea of the text, by understanding a story's mood or tone.

Mood: The feelings the reader has from a text or work of literature

Determining Mood: To determine mood, think of how how you feel after reading a text—what mood does that text put you in?

Mood can change throughout the text depending on the plot

Example: When you are watching a scary movie, and you know one of the characters is about to be caught.

Mood: Nervous or Anxious

Tone: The attitude the writer gives off toward a subject

Determining Tone:

To determine tone, think of how you would describe someone's tone of voice when speaking to you—what do they sound like if they are upset or happy? Tone can change depending on the plot

Example: When a character gets in trouble by his or her teacher.

Tone: Stern or Threatening

Now, let's learn more about mood and tone in the video below.

The chart below provides examples of words you can use to describe mood and words you can use to describe mood and tone.

Mood and Tone Words written on a notebook image

You will encounter different conflicts, moods, and tones in the different short stories appearing in the next module. However, prior to reading the short stories, can you understand the different conflicts based on your new knowledge? Now that you have learned about conflict, mood, and tone, practice your understanding below:

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