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confl ict expressed in story. In fact, these motifs occur with such frequency that instead of
recognizing these as forms of confl ict, we categorize them into types of familiar stories [7]:
Brains vs. Brawn.
These confl icts pit intelligence against brute strength.
Rags to Riches.
These are stories about personal struggle for achievement.
Good vs. Evil.
Sets equal forces against each other.
Role Reversals.
Allows us to see through the eyes of the “other” and experience how
others live.
Courage and Survival.
The confl ict that is usually environmental. There is a disaster or
disease that must be overcome.
Peacemakers.
These are underdog stories where the “good” are those who protect the
weak or stand up for what is right.
Tempting Fate.
The confl ict arises when the hero goes against the established order of things
(the law, God, nature), sometimes for the greater good, but more often for personal gain.
Fish out of Water.
A character or characters are transported to a different time or
place where they must learn how to survive.
Ship of Fools.
Several fully defi ned but distinctly different characters must navigate an
adventure together.
Buddy Stories.
These stories focus on the strengths and contrasts of the characters to
overcome adversity and become friends.
Love Stories.
The study of romantic relationships that focuses on the trials that bring
two people together or tear them apart.
Quests and Journeys.
In these stories, heroes traverse space and/or time to retrieve
an object or person only to fi nd themselves changed through the experience. [7]
Often, in feature fi lms, there will be one confl ict motif that is the main confl ict or problem.
Then there may be secondary motifs that emerge in the subplots. Below are some examples:
Examples:
MOVIE
PRIMARY CONFLICT
SECONDARY CONFLICT
TERTIARY CONFLICT
Iron
Giant
Fish out of Water
Buddy Story
Peacemakers
Mulan
Fish out of Water
Courage and Survival
Love Story
Ship of Fools That Become
Buddies
Peacemakers
Brains vs. Brawn
Ice
Age
The Triplets
of
Belleville
Love Story
Fish out of Water
Good vs. Evil
Shrek
Role Reversals
Love Story
Quest
The
Incredibles
Good vs. Evil
Tempting Fate
Ship of Fools
Howl's
Moving
Castle
Courage and Survival
Good vs. Evil
Ship of Fools
