Character vs Society

Rosemi Mederos: 00:01

If you have plot bunnies coming out of your plot holes, it’s time for a writing break.

Welcome back. After last week’s discussion about character vs nature, I hope you managed to work some weather into your current work in progress. In this episode we’re discussing character vs society. The Writing Break cafe is open, so let’s grab a drink and settle into the Overthinking Couch.

The literary conflict of character vs. society is where a character's values, beliefs, or actions clash with the expectations or laws of the character’s society. For clarity, I’m using society to mean a collective group with its own set of rules and expectations. This could be the entire world in which the plot is taking place or just one town that doesn’t like dancing.

Character vs society is a highly popular conflict in storytelling, especially in societies that value individuality. The stories, of course, require rebellion on at least one character’s part as well a conclusion that brings some kind of change to the society in which the character is living. In some cases what changes is the protagonist’s geography. They just straight up leave town.

Character vs society can be found in coming-of-age stories when young characters are still figuring out who they are and finding their place in a complex world. It can also be found in dystopian novels where an individual character or a small group of characters rebel against totalitarian regimes. And it can also be found in social justice stories where characters fight against discrimination, inequality, or oppression.

Character versus society conflicts give an author the opportunity to explore questions about the legitimacy and use of power and authority and about the impact an individual can have on society. As the characters struggle against societal pressures, the author can explore the internal and external conflicts that arise when individualism and conformity are at odds.

While this conflict will drive the plot forward with increasingly high stakes, it is important that the reader understand the values your character has that are resulting in the action and risks they’re taking. The character must be strong in their conviction, but remember that a flawed character is an interesting character. We don’t want to read about a saint-like character going up against a clearly evil regime. There should also be a reasonable explanation as to why the society rules are what they are and why everyone else is conforming to them.

When this conflict appears in a book, it is usually the main driver of the plot, and there are plenty of examples of that in today’s mainstream books, shows, and movies, so you don’t need me for that. However, I will say that your story will be much more interesting if at least one other literary conflict is present. We’re discussing the main 7 literary conflicts this season, so check those episodes out if you haven’t already.

In the next episode, we’ll be discussing Character vs Supernatural. Please join me again for that. Until then, thank you so much for listening, and remember, you deserved this break.

If you would like us to visit your favorite independent bookstore, feature your favorite independent author (even if it’s you), or discuss something you’re overthinking about, please email me at podcast@writingbreak.com.

Thank you for making space in your mind for The Muse today.

Writing Break is hosted by America’s Editor and produced by Allon Media with technical direction by Gus Aviles. Visit us at writingbreak.com or contact us at podcast@writingbreak.com.