Respond to ONE of the following questions. Your response should include the following to receive the points in parentheses: Respond in a well-organized essay. Your answer should be written in complete sentences. (16 pts) (a) Define the term conflict as it relates to literature and explain its importance in narrative writing. Briefly describe the different types of internal and external conflict. Then choose ONE short story or poem you read for this course. Explain how the author introduces, develops, and resolves a major conflict in this narrative. (b) Recall what you have learned about different genres, or types, of narratives and how to analyze a narrative. Then choose ONE short story you read for this course. State the author’s purpose for writing the story (to inform or explain, to describe, to persuade, or to entertain) and summarize the main idea. Briefly discuss the techniques the author used (such as figurative language or metaphor). Evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques in achieving the author’s purpose. (c) Identify a major theme in ONE of the stories or poems you read for this course. State the theme in a complete sentence. Then explain how the author develops this theme throughout the story or poem through plot events, character development, dialogue, and other story elements.
(a) Conflict is a fundamental element in literature that drives the narrative forward by creating tension and adding complexity to the story. It adds excitement, suspense, and challenges for the characters, making their journey more compelling for readers. There are two main types of conflict: internal and external.
Internal conflict refers to the struggle that a character experiences within themselves. It involves their thoughts, emotions, or moral dilemmas. This conflict can be seen when a character is torn between two choices or has conflicting desires. For example, a character may be torn between pursuing their dreams or fulfilling their responsibilities.
External conflict, on the other hand, occurs when a character faces obstacles or adversaries from the outside world. This could be a person, society, nature, or any other external force that opposes the protagonist's goals. The external conflict can come in various forms, such as man vs. man, man vs. society, man vs. nature, or man vs. supernatural. It creates tension and propels the narrative forward.
In the short story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, the author introduces, develops, and resolves a major conflict through the character Mathilde Loisel. The conflict is primarily internal, revolving around Mathilde's dissatisfaction with her social status and her desire to be part of the upper class. She feels trapped in her middle-class life and dreams of luxury and extravagance.
The author introduces the conflict by portraying Mathilde's constant dissatisfaction with her circumstances. He vividly describes her longing for a life she does not have, stating, "She was unhappy at her lot and longed to be someone else, someone better off." This sets the stage for the conflict that will drive the story.
As the narrative progresses, the conflict intensifies when Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from her friend Madame Forestier. This external conflict arises when the necklace is lost, and Mathilde and her husband suffer economic hardship trying to replace it. The conflict escalates as they go through great lengths to repay their debt, including years of hard work and poverty.
The resolution of the conflict happens when Mathilde accidentally meets Madame Forestier after repaying her debt. She discovers that the necklace she had thought to be valuable was actually a fake. This revelation resolves Mathilde's internal conflict as she realizes that her desire for material wealth had been based on a mistaken perception.
Through this narrative, the author shows the consequences of desire and the pursuit of social status. Mathilde's internal conflict is developed through her thoughts and emotions, while the external conflict is depicted through her interactions with societal expectations and the loss of the necklace. The resolution not only resolves the specific conflict in the story but also serves as a lesson about the dangers of materialistic desires and the importance of appreciating one's own circumstances. Thus, conflict plays a crucial role in this narrative by driving the plot and exploring the themes of identity and societal pressures.