What does the term 'conflict' refer to in a literary work?

The term 'conflict' in a literary work specifically refers to the opposition that triggers action within the story. Conflict is a fundamental element of narrative structure, as it creates tension and drives the plot forward. It can arise from various forms of opposition, such as character versus character, character versus society, character versus nature, or character versus self. This confrontation is crucial, as it sets the stage for character development and ultimately leads to resolution within the narrative.

Understanding conflict helps readers to grasp the dynamics of the story, as it reveals the challenges and obstacles that characters face, shaping their motivations and actions. In contrast, the main idea of the story, the character's journey, and the resolution of the plot each pertain to different aspects of storytelling but do not encompass the essence of conflict itself. Therefore, recognizing conflict as the catalyst of action is key to analyzing literary works effectively.