Concept / Conflict theme

Conflict theme

A narrative theme centered on conflict between subjects, aims, or values

A narrative theme centered on conflict between subjects, aims, or values.

A phrase to start with

Directs the scene toward a narrative theme of conflict between opposing aims or values.

Appearance and effects

Opposing aims or values can read as the narrative focus.

Visual traits

  • opposing aims
  • tension between values
  • narrative theme

Expected changes

  • A narrative focus on opposing aims or values is more likely to appear

Five examples

1 — A neutral cube against a plain background

The fixed dog has no narrative focus on conflict to compare, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single cube against a plain background with no cues to conflict, aims, values, violence, or politics

  • a single cube against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to conflict
Open image ↗
2 — A neutral sphere against a plain background

The fixed cat has no narrative focus on conflict to compare, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single sphere against a plain background with no cues to conflict, aims, values, violence, or politics

  • a single sphere against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to conflict
Open image ↗
3 — A neutral panel against a plain background

The fixed boy has no narrative focus on conflict to compare, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single panel against a plain background with no cues to conflict, aims, values, violence, or politics

  • a single panel against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to conflict
Open image ↗
4 — A single chair against a plain background

The fixed unoccupied room has no subject for a conflict theme, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single chair against a plain background with no cues to conflict, aims, values, violence, or politics

  • a single chair against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to conflict
Open image ↗
5 — A neutral stone against a plain background

The fixed valley landscape has no subject for a conflict theme, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single stone against a plain background with no cues to conflict, aims, values, violence, or politics

  • a single stone against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to conflict
Open image ↗

Meaning and scope

Definition

Conflict theme is a narrative theme centered on conflict between subjects, aims, or values. It does not determine physical violence, war, politics, hatred, morality, victory or defeat, or a particular relationship.

In more detail

It concerns opposing aims or values in a narrative. It is distinct from concrete actions such as confrontation and fighting, and violent or political content is not inferred from the theme alone.

Includes

  • A narrative theme of conflict between subjects, aims, or values

Excludes

  • Physical violence, war, politics, hatred, morality, victory or defeat, or a particular relationship
  • Concrete actions of confrontation or fighting

What this does not imply

  • Physical violence, war, politics, hatred, morality, victory or defeat, or a particular relationship

Variability

Subjects, content of the conflict, event, and outcome can be adjusted separately.

Usage and adjustments

Usage

  • Use it as a narrative theme of conflict

Distinguish similar expressions

  • Specify concrete action, politics, violence, or outcome separately only when needed

Typical uses

  • Compose opposing aims or values as a narrative theme

Possible failure modes

  • It is fixed as combat or political conflict, hatred or morality is added automatically, or it reads only as a concrete action

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From the same theme

Items linked through explicit membership in the same theme.