How to Build Internal Conflict in a Character: A Guide for Novelists

How to Build Internal Conflict in a Character: A Guide for Novelists

Creating compelling characters is at the heart of any great novel, and internal conflict is one of the most powerful tools for deepening character development. Internal conflict is the struggle that takes place within a character’s mind and soul, often between competing desires, values, or fears. It drives the character’s decisions, propels the plot forward, and resonates deeply with readers by mirroring the complexities of the human experience. This essay explores how to effectively build internal conflict in a character, ensuring that your novel engages readers on a profound emotional level.

1. Understand the Nature of Internal Conflict

Internal conflict arises from the clash between different aspects of a character’s psyche. It is not merely about making difficult decisions but about wrestling with contradictory impulses, beliefs, or desires. To construct a compelling internal conflict, begin by identifying the core of your character’s dilemma. Consider what they want versus what they need, their moral beliefs versus their emotional urges, or their fears versus their hopes. For example, a character may desperately want to achieve success but fears losing their integrity in the process. This dichotomy sets the stage for internal struggle.

2. Ground Conflict in Character Backstory

A character’s past experiences, upbringing, and psychological makeup are fertile ground for sowing the seeds of internal conflict. By carefully crafting a backstory that introduces formative experiences—such as trauma, cultural influences, or pivotal relationships—you provide a foundation for the character’s inner turmoil. For instance, a character raised in a strict, religious household might struggle between their ingrained beliefs and their evolving personal values as they confront new challenges. This conflict would naturally emerge from their background and shape their internal world throughout the story.

3. Align Conflict with External Plot

While internal conflict is a psychological battle, it should be intertwined with the external plot to enhance the story’s overall tension. As the character faces external challenges, these events should exacerbate their internal struggles, forcing them to confront their inner demons. For example, if a character is torn between loyalty to their family and their own aspirations, an external event—such as an opportunity that requires betraying family trust—can amplify this conflict. The external and internal conflicts should mirror and intensify each other, leading to more complex and meaningful character arcs.

4. Develop Multi-Dimensional Characters

To create rich internal conflict, your character must be multi-dimensional. Flat or one-dimensional characters lack the complexity needed for deep internal struggles. Develop your character with a range of traits, values, and flaws. Consider the contradictions within them—perhaps they are brave but insecure, compassionate yet selfish, or idealistic but disillusioned. These inherent contradictions provide the fertile ground for internal conflict. For instance, a character who values honesty but is prone to self-deception may struggle deeply when faced with a situation that requires brutal honesty with themselves or others.

5. Use Symbolism and Metaphor

Symbolism and metaphor can effectively illustrate a character’s internal conflict. These literary devices allow you to externalize the internal struggle in a way that resonates with the reader. For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby’s unreachable dreams and the internal conflict between his idealism and reality. Similarly, your character’s internal struggle can be represented through recurring symbols, settings, or objects that evoke their psychological state, deepening the reader’s connection to the character’s inner world.

6. Show, Don’t Tell

The age-old writing advice “show, don’t tell” is particularly relevant when depicting internal conflict. Rather than explicitly stating a character’s inner turmoil, reveal it through their actions, dialogue, and thoughts. Subtle cues, such as hesitations, contradictions in behavior, or moments of introspection, can effectively convey the depth of their internal struggle. For instance, a character who says one thing but does another can indicate the presence of internal conflict. This approach allows readers to infer the character’s psychological state, making the experience more immersive and engaging.

7. Create a Climax of Internal Conflict

The climax of your novel should often coincide with the peak of the character’s internal conflict. This moment is when the character faces the most significant decision or realization that forces them to confront their inner turmoil head-on. The resolution of this conflict should lead to character growth or transformation. Whether the character overcomes their internal struggle or succumbs to it, the climax should provide a cathartic release for both the character and the reader. For instance, in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov’s ultimate confession is the climax of his internal conflict between guilt and justification.

8. Allow for Ambiguity and Complexity

Real-life internal conflicts are rarely clear-cut, and your characters’ struggles should reflect this complexity. Avoid simplistic resolutions or moral absolutes. Instead, allow for ambiguity and unresolved tension within the character. This not only makes the character more realistic but also invites readers to engage with the story on a deeper level, pondering the moral and psychological questions raised by the character’s journey. For example, a character may make a choice that resolves one aspect of their conflict but leaves another unresolved, leading to further growth or future challenges.

9. Reflect Conflict in Dialogue and Interactions

A character’s internal conflict often spills over into their interactions with others. Dialogue can be a powerful tool for revealing the character’s inner turmoil, especially through subtext. What a character says—or doesn’t say—can indicate the presence of internal conflict. Tension in conversations, contradictions in statements, or moments of silence can all serve as indicators of the psychological battle taking place within the character. The way they relate to other characters—whether through arguments, evasions, or confessions—can further illuminate their internal struggle.

10. Evolve the Conflict Over Time

Internal conflict should not remain static throughout your novel. As the character encounters new challenges and experiences, their internal struggle should evolve, becoming more complex or shifting focus. This dynamic nature of internal conflict mirrors the character’s growth and keeps the reader engaged. For instance, a character who initially struggles with fear of failure might later grapple with the consequences of success, reflecting an ongoing internal journey that drives the narrative forward.

Conclusion

Building internal conflict in a character is a delicate and intricate process that requires deep understanding of human psychology and careful narrative construction. By grounding the conflict in the character’s backstory, aligning it with the external plot, and using literary devices like symbolism and metaphor, you can create a rich, multi-dimensional character whose internal struggles resonate with readers. Showing rather than telling, allowing for ambiguity, and evolving the conflict over time are crucial techniques to ensure that the internal conflict remains compelling throughout the novel. Ultimately, a well-crafted internal conflict not only enriches character development but also elevates the entire narrative, making your novel a more engaging and thought-provoking experience for readers.