As most literature students know, there are several different conflicts that can occur in novels. Man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. nature, and the list goes on. Writers employ one of these conflicts in their stories because, well, without it, it would be a pretty dull read. One conflict that can be particularly interesting is the conflict with nature. Nature is a force that no one, no matter how hard they try, can control. This lack of control makes natural a valid conflict for writers to use. Nature can also be very unpredictable, adding to any conflict. Readers know the problems that nature can cause and understand the fears of the characters. Somehow, to all of us, nature conflicts are more real because they could happen to all of us. Do you agree? Or is the possibility of getting swept down river a lesser threat than a human attacker?
Posted by VanessaKolberg at January 29, 2005 11:07 PM | TrackBackIn this handout on conflict, I've cited the dead French guy who came up with that list...
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative/crisis-vs-conflict.htm
We like to think that we have some control over our fate, so that it's easy to think of the man in this story as having made a prideful mistake that led him outside alone during that cold snap. We'd like to think that, had we been in the path of the tidal wave, we would have somehow been smart enough to survive when so many others died.
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at January 30, 2005 09:41 AMGotta love the dead French guys... ;c)
Posted by: moira at January 30, 2005 10:20 AMI read that link a few days ago. Pretty helpful. Yes Moira, gotta love French dead guys. Much better than your average dead guy...haha.
Posted by: Nessa at January 30, 2005 12:25 PMIn that case, I'm moving to France when I'm on my deathbed, heheh.
Posted by: ChrisU at January 31, 2005 03:56 AMPoint well taken. The two deaths are very different. Since our human race is more detached from nature than ever, it makes sense that there is a fear of nature and an awe at the power it holds. Whereas a death to an attacker is quicker when compared to freezing to death, for example.
(I sound morbid, don't I?)
Some good examples of how this fear of nature is maintained are a tsunami and a bear attack. Somehow I would rather be shot or stabbed than drowned or mauled by a 500 pound grizzly.
(Yeah, I sound morbid... I'm gonna stop now.)