What do the following lines from the play illustrate? internal or external conflict?
Ruth: Walter— (She stops what she is doing and looks at him.) Walter: (Yelling) Don’t start! Ruth: Start what? Walter: Your nagging! Where was I? Who was I with? How much money did I spend?
The lines you provided from the play indicate an internal conflict within the character of Walter and an external conflict between Walter and Ruth. Here's a breakdown:
Internal Conflict:
Walter's outburst, "(Yelling) Don’t start!", indicates that he is experiencing some form of stress or frustration that comes from within. His immediate defensive posture suggests that he might be struggling with feelings of guilt, insecurity, or pressure related to the questions he anticipates from Ruth. He is already in conflict with himself before Ruth even says anything significant, which is evident in his preemptive reaction to what he expects to be her "nagging."
External Conflict:
The exchange between Walter and Ruth showcases a classic example of external conflict between two characters. Walter assumes that Ruth is about to question him in a manner he finds nagging, while Ruth seems to be genuinely attempting to communicate with him ("Start what?"). The tension and conflict arise from their interaction and differing perspectives or expectations of the conversation.
These lines are a snapshot of interpersonal conflict in a relationship, where communication issues and personal frustrations bubble to the surface, causing the characters to clash with one another.