good conflicts for short stories

One good conflict is person vs. self. For example, a character may struggle with their own insecurities or moral dilemmas. Another is person vs. society, like a character fighting against unjust social norms. Person vs. nature can also be great, such as a hiker trying to survive a harsh storm.

There are mainly three types of conflicts in short stories. The first is man - vs - man conflict, which involves a struggle between two or more characters. For example, in a detective story, the detective and the criminal are in this kind of conflict. The second is man - vs - self conflict, where a character struggles with his or her own inner demons, like a person trying to overcome his fear of public speaking. The third is man - vs - society conflict. This occurs when a character goes against the norms or values of the society he lives in, such as a rebel fighting against an unjust social system.

One common conflict is person vs. self. For example, a character may struggle with self - doubt or a moral dilemma within themselves. Another is person vs. person, like two characters competing for a job or having a relationship feud. Person vs. society can also be a conflict, such as when a character rebels against the norms or rules of the community they live in.

To create good conflicts, start with your characters. Give them strong desires and goals. Then, put obstacles in their way. For example, if a character wants to win a race, make another character who is also determined to win. Another way is to create a situation where the character's beliefs are challenged. If a character believes in honesty, put them in a situation where lying might seem like the only option.

Another short story with family conflict could be 'A Good Man is Hard to Find'. The family in this story has internal conflicts. The grandmother has her own ideas and ways which the other family members don't always agree with. Also, when they encounter the Misfit, the different reactions among the family members and the lack of unity in the face of danger show the underlying family conflicts.

Conflicts enhance short stories in several ways. Firstly, they help to develop characters. When a character faces a conflict, we learn more about their personality, like how they react under pressure. Secondly, conflicts add depth to the story. They can introduce complex themes and ideas. For instance, a person vs. society conflict can explore social issues. Moreover, conflicts create emotional responses in readers, making them more invested in the story.

Character vs. nature can be really engaging too. Such as a group of hikers getting caught in a violent storm. They have to battle against the forces of nature like strong winds, heavy rain, and difficult terrains. This type of conflict can test the characters' survival skills and also their mental and physical strength.

Good conflicts in stories often involve a struggle between opposing forces. It could be a character against society, like in '1984' where Winston battles the totalitarian regime. It makes the story engaging as the reader wonders how the character will overcome.

Another way is through the characters' internal thoughts. A character might be torn between loyalty to their family and their own personal desires which oppose the family's values. In short stories, this internal struggle is a form of family conflict. For example, a character may want to marry someone outside their family's approved group, and the internal battle they face is part of the family conflict narrative.

The main conflict in 'The Lottery' is the collective acceptance of a brutal and senseless tradition by the villagers. There's a moral conflict as well, with the characters not questioning the injustice of the lottery system.