Martel's Use of Conflict in the 'Life of Pi'

Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. There can be multiple conflicts in a story. This is the case in Of Mice and Men. In chapters three and four, there are man vs. man, man vs. self, and man vs. society conflicts. As George and Lennie interact with the workers on the ranch, sometimes conflicts arise between them.

In the novel Fever, 1793, by Laurie Halse Anderson there is a lot of conflicts. I believe conflict is a situation or problem that one character or more are facing. These conflicts are the struggles of the fever, having to deal with the Ogilvies, and Mattie facing herself. Mattie’s perseverance while facing the challenges of getting through the fever, facing the Ogilvies, and facing herself and her doubts helped lead her from childhood to adulthood.

Some stories do not have many different conflicts in the story. For example, in “Little Red Riding Hood” there is only one conflict which is Man vs Wolf or Man vs Man, but in some stories like “The Most Dangerous Game” there are all three conflicts throughout the book. Having more conflicts gives the story a bigger theme of suspense. In “Little Red Riding Hood”, the only conflict is getting to her grandma’s house where in “The Most Dangerous Game” there are many different conflicts that give the story more suspense and make it more interesting. Furthermore, there are many examples of conflicts in the short story.

All stories have conflict in them. In “Seventh Grade” there was internal conflict. An internal conflict is the struggle occurring within a character's mind. Unlike “Seventh Grade” in “Melting Pot” there is an external conflict. External conflict is a problem in the outside world. In some cases, there is a winner in these two types of conflict.

Conflict is not something that can be avoided, especially in fiction. In fact, conflict is the main purpose of how a story came to be – without conflict, there will be no story. As quoted from Peder Hill (n.d.), “Its the primary ingredient that weaves together all the other elements of a novel”. However, conflict can arise in a story in various forms and they alter the course of the story. For instance, a conflict of decision. What decision is made by the characters moves the story. This is called external conflict, which Rector (2002) defines as “a struggle between a character and an outside force”. On the other hand, conflict within a character may also arise, which is called internal conflict. Internal conflict means “a struggle that

Conflict could be stated as a ‘a solemn difference between two or more beliefs, ideas or interests.’ In general, it is a fairly indispensable part of our lives as well as shapes individuals into who they are, and due to the consequences that linger around conflicts , it affects the relationship they have built with others along with their opinions towards them. This is evident in the award-winning play written by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. In which the two families , Capulet and Montague constantly compete each other, and in the midst of this heat, ‘a pair of star cross’d lovers’ strive for the sake of their short-lived love; as a result causing what is now known as ‘the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet’. Correspondingly, in S.E

One of the first conflicts in the film causes a bigger conflict in later years and later in the plot between the same characters. A conflict is defined as "Conflict is a fact of human life. It occurs naturally in all kinds of settings. Nations still struggle, families fracture in destructive conflicts, marriages face challenges and often fail, and the workplace is plagued with stress." in the textbook "Interpersonal Conflict" by Wilmot. Meriam-Webster defines conflict in three ways. Firstly a war, fight or battle. Secondly "competitive or opposing action of incompatibles :antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas, interests, or persons)" or "mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands". Lastly "the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the

According to Ann Charters in The Short Story and its Writer, "conflict is the opposition presented to the main Character of a narrative by another character, by events or situations, by fate, or by some aspect of the protagonist's own personality or nature. The conflict is introduced by means of a complication that sets in motion the rising action, usually toward a climax and eventual resolution" (Charters 1782).

In the novel, Life of Pi, by Yann Martel, the theme of truth is seen most prominently in the last part of the book when main character, Piscine Patel is being interviewed by two Japanese men. Pi defines truth as being relative and an invention of man, when the believability of his story is questioned. He argues that even stories, such as his, can still be true to some no matter how difficult to believe they are.

To simply be alive consists of the acts of breathing and having blood pump through the body, but to be a human being consists of much more complexity. The nature composed of a human being involves having self sovereignty on our own emotions, opinions, desires, faiths as well as having a moral subconscious. Yet, what occurs when a situation allows an individual to react in a behaviour that doesn’t follow these defining factors of human nature? In Yann Martel 's Life of Pi, he creates the conflict of a cargo ship sinking, and the only notable survivors on the life raft consists of a hyena, a zebra with a broken leg, an orangutan, and a 16-year-old Indian boy. The protagonist of the novel, Pi Patel, is faced with a personal survival conflict

All stories must have a conflict in them. Some have only one but the narrator and author of the short story “ The Most Dangerous Game’’ by Richard Connell has not only one but three to give the story a little rage . Man vs man, man vs himself and man vs nature are all included in the story. They all exist in the story and these are some of the examples the author puts on the story when writing it.

For example, he has a loving family who would always be there to support him. In conclusion, the conflicts in the story, person versus society and person versus self, show the need to be optimistic during tough times.

Internal conflict is when a character is struggling with a thought or idea within himself/herself. External conflict is when a character struggles with another character or outside force. In the movie The Dark Knight, Batman constantly has both internal and external struggles. His external struggles are with the villains he’s up against. His internal struggles are in his mind. He always questions if he has the right to tell everyone what is right and what is wrong.

Each story ever written has many literary elements within it. Elements such as setting, characters, resolution, plot, and lastly conflict, Conflict is a major part of any story. The plot is centered around any sort of conflict in a short story or novel. It creates challenges with the story and within the characters. It keeps a reader entertained enough to see if the characters overcome those hardships. James Baldwin’s story, “Sonny’s Blues”, uses conflict as the main concept of the story, the conflicts and struggles wither make or break the characters in the story.

Conflict is a normal part of everyday life and is an issue that every one faces. It is defined as a state of struggle or fight caused by the actual or perceived opposition or threat of needs, values, interest, status and power. Conflict is also a very important, common and necessary element in stories. It allows the author to add excitement and suspense thus making the story entertaining for readers. In stories, conflict is classified as any difficulty or problem that involves the characters and usually takes place in the formats of a character opposing them self, a character opposing another and a character opposing an object. The “Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman perfectly depicts conflicts and exemplifies the various types