### 날짜 : 2024-03-14 17:19 ### 주제 : Conflict and Tension #스토리텔링 #공부 ---- ### 3.4 Conflict and Tension Conflict and tension are the driving forces behind engaging narratives, compelling characters to act and evolve while keeping readers invested in the story's outcome. Understanding how to build and resolve conflict, and how to use tension effectively, can transform a good story into an unforgettable one. #### 3.4.1 Types of Conflict - **Man vs. Self:** Internal conflicts where characters struggle with their own flaws, desires, or moral dilemmas, leading to personal growth or failure. - **Man vs. Man:** The classic protagonist versus antagonist setup, where characters face off against each other with opposing goals or values. - **Man vs. Society:** Characters challenge societal norms, laws, or expectations, often in pursuit of justice or change. - **Man vs. Nature:** Characters battle against natural forces, highlighting themes of survival, resilience, and the human spirit. - **Man vs. Supernatural:** Encounters with elements beyond the natural world, exploring the unknown and human limitations. - **Man vs. Technology:** Reflects on the consequences of technological advancement and its impact on humanity and individual lives. #### 3.4.2 Building Suspense - **Incremental Challenges:** Escalate the obstacles characters face gradually, increasing the stakes and the intensity of their struggles. - **Information Control:** Withhold crucial information from characters (and sometimes readers), creating uncertainty and anticipation about outcomes. - **Time Pressure:** Introduce deadlines or ticking clocks to create a sense of urgency, forcing characters to make quick decisions under pressure. #### 3.4.3 Resolving Conflict - **Natural Progression:** Ensure that the resolution arises organically from the characters' actions and growth throughout the story. It should feel earned and satisfying. - **Transformation:** Conflict resolution should lead to change, whether it's in the characters, their relationships, the society they inhabit, or the reader's understanding of the theme. - **Variety of Outcomes:** Not all conflicts need to be resolved positively or completely. Ambiguous or bittersweet endings can add depth and realism to the narrative. ### Examples and Application - **Man vs. Self:** A detective battles his own alcoholism while trying to solve a career-defining case. His internal struggle with addiction mirrors the external quest for justice, adding layers to his character and tension to the story. - **Building Suspense with Time Pressure:** In a thriller, the protagonist must defuse a bomb set to explode at a major public event. The countdown adds tension, compelling the protagonist and the reader towards an explosive climax, both figuratively and literally. - **Resolving Conflict:** In a family drama, a long-standing feud between siblings is finally addressed when they are forced to come together to care for an ailing parent. Through shared challenges and reflections on their past, they begin to understand and forgive, though the scars remain. The resolution offers emotional catharsis without erasing the complexity of their relationship. ### Conclusion Conflict and tension not only propel the narrative forward but also deepen the reader's emotional investment in the characters and their journeys. By thoughtfully crafting conflicts, strategically building tension, and carefully resolving these elements, storytellers can create rich, compelling narratives that resonate with readers long after the last page is turned. The key is to ensure that conflicts and their resolutions align with the story's themes and characters' arcs, offering a satisfying blend of challenge, growth, and resolution.