What is Internal Conflict?

• A. A psychological struggle within a character.
• B. A struggle between a character and outside forces.
• C. A contrast between expectation and reality.
• D. Saying the opposite of what one means.

Answer: (A)

Internal conflict is a psychological struggle within a character as they wrestle with thoughts, feelings, or values. It’s the inner tug-of-war—debating what to do, questioning what’s right, or battling fear and guilt—that shapes what a character decides and how they change. The correct description captures this inner battle, the kind of tension happening inside the person rather than with an outside force.

External conflict, by contrast, is a struggle with something outside the character. The third option points to a mismatch between expectation and reality, which is more about irony or deception than an inner debate. The last option describes saying the opposite of what one means, which is verbal irony.

A simple example: a character who must choose between telling the truth and protecting a friend experiences internal conflict as they weigh honesty against loyalty.