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https://foxhugh.com/2016/04/14/authentic-complex-characters-have-complex-conflicts/
1.0) INTRODUCTION
In Ten Types of Literary Conflict, I posit that there are actually five types of internal conflict that
mirror five types of external conflict. This is an extension of that article and there have been a
few changes made from the system described in that article. I have added Man versus Family
and have refined the concepts from the prior article. The literary theory of conflict begins in
Ancient Greece and the details of how conflict is viewed have changed over the centuries but not
the larger philosophical framework.
I posit that internal versus external conflict is a modality and on a spectrum. As a semiotic
modality, if the conflict is presented in subjective, psychological terms then the conflict is
interpreted as internal by the receiver of the message. If the conflict is presented in more
objective, physical terms then the conflict is interpreted as external by the receiver of the
message. This is due to conventions of communication and does not reflect the fact that humans
actually live in world that is a stream of consciousness and an external that is largely socially
constructed. The internal/external dichotomy is not how we perceive reality. The
internal/external dichotomy is a narrative convention that has creative utility. Because internal
and external conflict is a modality that means internality and externality exist on a spectrum.
For example, in Man versus Society, an ethnic group may be marginalized physically via
discrimination but the affects can be internal. In the novel, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, the
protagonist claims he is invisible but this is not a physical condition but due to a system that
ignores him as a black man. However, the novel does detail physical conflict with the system.
The novel works because the internal and external modalities are dealt with in a synthetic
manner rather than neatly separated.
I hope my framework will be useful for writers who want to write complex characters. The
thesis of this article is that complex characters that are authentic have complex conflicts. Many
of the most commercially successful TV shows of the last 20 years have worked because they
have had an authentic complex protagonist and/or main character at their center. This has led to
a factory approach to create more shows with complex characters via interesting quirks and
habits that can add to the external complexity of the character but without any grounding in
internal conflict seem forced and gimmicky and ultimately inauthentic. External character
complexity minus internal character complexity is phony and unsatisfying to the viewer who
wants to see something that is true to life even on the small screen.
Complexity has two dimensions including depth and breadth. Depth is a combination of both
internal and external conflict within a single area such Man versus Faults. If the character is a
kleptomaniac and the narrative explores how the character feels about his kleptomania and how
his kleptomania effects the people around him then that is depth of conflict. When there is a
clear narrative connection between the internal and external then the audience experiences
satisfaction. For example, a character feels shame because of his poverty and this causes him to
steal which in turn creates conflict between that character and the law. This tidy cycle makes us
feel happy. However untidy characters whose internal and external conflict are not so well
connected can create unease and curiosity in the audience and we want to watch more about the
character in order to figure the character out. In the TV show, Jessica Jones, the supervillain is
Draper was born Richard "Dick" Whitman and had a horrific childhood and is born into poverty.
His mother was a prostitute that died in labor. His stepmother Abigail is abusive towards
Draper. Draper loses his virginity to a prostitute in none consensual sex. Draper wants love but
probably because of his early experiences with women, has a hard time allowing women past his
defenses. Draper does flirt with SM with the housewife and neighbor Silvia Rosen.
Don Draper Man versus Nature
Don Draper chases women and his out of control womanizing and damages his first marriage.
Don is reflective enough to realize he has a problem in this area. Draper gets into a fist fight
with a reverend in a bar. Draper is a he-man in the classic fifties model but is smart enough to
realize the limitations of this act and by the last season is a nomad seeking deeper meaning and
escape from his baser side.
Don Draper Man versus Society
Draper switches identities with his commanding officer during the Korean War after the officer
is killed. Draper steals his role in society via fraud. This is Drapers deep secret and there are
major consequences. His half-brother commits suicide presumably because Draper must keep
him away in order to keep his secret. Draper may be comfortable with his deception but he is not
comfortable with the death of his half-brother the deception caused. Draper has made the cold
blooded decision that self-interest is more important than the truth and this is a realistic
decision that we will see again in other complex TV protagonists.
The Civil Rights Movement provides some background noise and some external conflict in the
series. Draper has an African-American receptionist at one point and one episode takes place
during the assassination of Martin Luther King. Two of the major characters represent two
pathways to be a successful woman in a sexist sixties world. Joan Holloway uses a combination
of obvious sexuality that is possible with her voluptuous figure and assertiveness in tandem to
play men. Peggy Olson has real advertising talent and is less willing to use her sexuality.
Predictably the two join forces to create a company that will film ads.
Don Draper Man versus Universe
Draper doesnt care about money compared to his peers. Draper gives is second wife a check for
a million dollars that he does not have to as part of the divorce settlement. Draper is an ad man
that manipulates consumers but is not manipulated by consumerism. Don is struggling to find
the meaning for life and goes to a commune and presumably writes the "I'd Like to Buy the
World a Coke" ad that may or may not be an expression of self-actualization.
Don Draper Man versus Machine
In Mad Men, television becomes an increasingly more important part of advertising. Harry
Cranes character rises in the organization due to his expertise in this area and is also in charge of
Dwight has an authoritarian personality and accepts Social Darwinism. Dwight is a volunteer
deputy sheriff and would probably be a police officer if he could get past the psychological test.
Dwight is rude and even cruel to his fellow office workers but subservient to his boss Dwight. In
X he does tell the documentary crew that he does respond to authority.
Dwight Schrute Man versus Universe
Dwights world view has been heavily influence by Dungeons & Dragons and their alignment
system. You dont see much evidence of Dwight classifying characters as lawful or chaotic but
Dwight does engage in splitting and the people around him are good or evil and there isnt much
grey in Dwights world view.
Dwight Schrute Man versus Machine
Economies of scale in the paper industry threaten Dunder Mifflin, the company that employs
Schrute. The real life Staples is often mentioned as a competitor to Dunder Mifflin. Technology
is not mentioned directly as part of the company struggle but part of Staples success is superior
logistic which is possible with superior information systems. Schrute himself likes computer
games and likes Sharper Image type gadgets.
2.4) Enoch Malachi "Nucky" Thompson from Boardwalk Empire
Nucky Thompson Man versus Faults
Nucky is a surprisingly well adjusted gangster surrounded by gangsters that have numerous
psychological problems. Is Nuckys saneness a weakness? In the world of gangsters
unpredictable, psychopaths often have the advantage over Nucky but in the long run Nucky can
form alliances the psychopaths cannot. Crazy men have a tactical advantage in the world of
crime. Sane men have a strategic advantage in the world of crime.
Nucky Thompson Man versus Family
Nuckys brother is Eli Thompson. Nucky marries Margaret Thompson. Eli works for
Thompson but sometimes resents how he is treated by Nucky. Margaret is a moral person who is
eventually leaves Nucky because of his gangster lifestyle. Both characters provide ongoing
conflict. The conflict with Eli is largely external. Margaret does make Nucky question his
lifestyle so this struggle has an internal element.
Nucky Thompson Man versus Nature
Nucky drinks but in moderation. Nucky likes the ladies but doesnt let that interfere with
business. Nucky does not shy away from violence but sees uses violence as a tool not for
vicarious pleasure like the gangsters around him. Nucky is an adult and in control and all thmore
dangerous because of this maturity.