In a construction site, there were two foremen, each leading their own team. Man A believed in strict schedules and pushed his team hard. Man B focused more on quality work even if it took a bit more time. When it came to a big project, at first Man A's team seemed to be ahead in terms of progress. But as the project neared completion, Man B's team's work with high quality required less rework. Eventually, Man B's team finished on time with excellent results, showing that quality can also be a winning factor in the man vs man work scenario.
At work, a man and a woman were competing to see who could finish a report faster. The man was typing away furiously, but kept making mistakes. The woman, on the other hand, was working steadily and carefully. In the end, the man thought he was done first, but when he handed it in, there were so many errors. The woman's report was perfect and she got a compliment from the boss.
Sure. There were two chefs in a restaurant. At first, they were always trying to outdo each other, creating their own special dishes and competing for customers' attention. But one day, the restaurant got a large order for a special event. They realized that they couldn't handle it alone. So, they started to cooperate. One chef was good at making starters and desserts, and the other was great at main courses. By combining their skills, they created an amazing menu for the event and received great reviews. After that, they continued to cooperate and the restaurant's business boomed.
Power struggle is a common theme. For example, in 'The Most Dangerous Game', the two men are fighting for power over life and death. Revenge is another, like in 'The Cask of Amontillado'. And pride, as in 'To Build a Fire', where the man's pride leads to his conflict with the unforgiving nature which can be seen as an opponent like another man.
Survival is also a theme. In some man vs man short stories, the characters are in a situation where they have to fight each other to survive. It could be in a post - apocalyptic setting or a situation like being stranded on an island. They compete for limited resources or for their own safety. And of course, pride often plays a role. A character's excessive pride might make them engage in a man vs man conflict, not wanting to back down or admit defeat.
Conflict over identity can be a theme. In some stories, characters are in conflict because they represent different identities or social classes. In 'A & P', Sammy's identity as a young rebel clashes with his boss's identity as a rule - following authority figure. Another theme is the struggle for survival, not just in a physical sense but also in a social or emotional sense. In 'The Interlopers', the two men are initially in a struggle for territorial survival, but then their situation changes to a more emotional survival as they face the unexpected together. And misunderstanding is also a common theme. When characters misunderstand each other's intentions, it can lead to man vs man conflict as in some stories where miscommunication causes enmity between two people.
One classic is 'The Iliad'. It's full of man vs man conflicts, like the battles between Achilles and Hector. Their rivalry is not just about personal glory but also represents the clash of two different ideals. Achilles is driven by his own sense of honor and pride, while Hector fights for his city and family. Another is 'Romeo and Juliet', although it's mainly a love story, the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets, which is man vs man at a family level, sets the tragic backdrop for the lovers.
The Hanged Man referred to the main character of a certain novel. His main characteristic was that his body was deformed and his head hung upside down. Many of his works have unknown names because his works are usually based on the plot rather than the characteristics of the characters.
Character development is a key aspect. Take 'Sherlock Holmes' stories. Holmes is constantly in a battle of wits with his adversaries. Through these man vs man interactions, his character is further defined, as are the characters of his opponents. Also, the plot usually hinges on the actions and counter - actions between the two opposing sides.
Another one is 'To Build a Fire' by Jack London. Although it's mainly about man vs nature, there is also an element of man vs man in a sense. The man in the story is pitted against his own pride and lack of respect for the wilderness which can be seen as an internal 'man' he is fighting against, leading to his downfall.