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Is Sunbird the short story, a Character or a Character Conflict?

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“Sunbird”  is a short story by Neil Gaiman from his Smoke and Mirrors collection. It presents a deep exploration of human desires and the search for meaning in life. At first, the story may appear to follow a typical “character vs. character” conflict. But a closer look reveals that it’s much more about the protagonist’s inner struggles and self-discovery. The conflict in “Sunbird “is not just about a battle between characters,  it’s about the protagonist trying to make sense of who they are, and their place in the world. 

In this article, we will examine whether “Sunbird” is mainly about a character or a character conflict or something more complex.

Analyzing the Core Conflict in “Sunbird”

To understand the main conflict in “Sunbird” it is important to look at both the internal and external challenges the characters face.  The main conflict comes from the protagonist’s inner struggles which are closely connected to their surroundings. Their battles with their values, sense of self, and emotions are the core part of the story. These conflicts push them to reflect on who they are, to grow as a person, and eventually to change.

The Internal Conflicts in Sunbird

While many stories labeled as “character vs. character” include internal conflict, in “Sunbird”, the protagonist faces deeper struggles beyond external problems. These struggles include emotional, moral, and psychological challenges, which make their journey and relationships more complicated. One important internal conflict is ethical doubt, where the protagonist questions what’s right and wrong. This is not just about making decisions, it also forces them to rethink their values, beliefs, and how their actions affect themselves and others. 

These internal conflicts can manifest in various ways. These internal conflicts may appear as follows:

1. Ethical Conflicts

The protagonist goes through times of moral doubt, where they question what is right and wrong. These struggles are not just about making choices, they also force the protagonist to rethink their values and beliefs. These conflicts impact their actions on themselves and those around them.

2. Battle with Self-Identity

The protagonist faces a deep crisis of identity, feeling unsure of who they are, what they want out of life, and where they fit in the world. This struggle creates emotional turmoil as they try to balance their desires with the expectations placed on them by others.

3. Emotional struggles

The protagonist is burdened by unresolved emotional issues, like past trauma, guilt, or grief. These struggles affect their choices and relationships, as the pain from their past influences how they act and see themselves in the present.

4. Existential Doubts

The main conflict for the protagonist comes from deeply questioning their purpose in life. These doubts lead to an ongoing inner struggle as they try to figure out what truly makes them happy, what their life is all about, and where they fit in the world.

When you focus on the protagonist’s internal struggles, When you focus on the protagonist’s internal struggles, it becomes clear that Sunbird isn’t just about a simple conflict between characters. It’s really about the protagonist’s inner battle with themselves and how they view the world. These internal conflicts are at the heart of the story, offering a deep exploration of identity, morality, and what it means to be human.

The Impact of Social and Environmental Factors

Sunbird is a short story

While the main struggle in “Sunbird” comes from the protagonist’s inner struggles, external factors like social pressures and the environment also play a significant role. These external influences are not just simple conflicts as they play an active role in

affecting the protagonist’s choices, actions, and relationships. Let’s take a closer look at how both social and environmental factors contribute to the conflict in the story.

Social Influences: The protagonist faces the pressures of societal expectancies and biases that have a significant effect on their relationships and selections. The norms and prejudices of the world around them often push them in directions that do not align with their goals or beliefs. These social pressures make it hard for the protagonists to understand who they are or what they need from life, as they are usually looking to meet the expectations placed on them by others.

Environmental Challenges: The environment in the story presents obstacles or challenges that contribute to the overall conflict. The world around the protagonist may not directly cause their struggles, but it strongly influences the decisions they make and the challenges they encounter. The environment presents both physical and emotional obstacles that make their journey more difficult. These external factors affect how they view and respond to the world, pushing them to deal with even more challenges as they search for answers or try to find peace with their situation.

Understanding the Nature of the Conflict: Character vs. Character or Something else

Sunbird is a short story

To determine whether the main conflict is character vs. character, ask yourself these questions.

  • Is the conflict mostly about a direct fight between two characters, or does it arise from a combination of internal struggles and external pressures?
  • What are the motivations behind the actions of the characters involved? Understanding their motivations can help to know if the conflict is based on personal dislike or if there are deeper,  more complicated reasons behind it.
  • How is the conflict resolved? Does it end with a showdown between the characters, or is it more about the protagonist changing their mindset or inner feelings?

Conclusion

At first, it would appear like “Sunbird” is a character vs. character conflict. But if you appear more closely, it becomes clear that the conflict is much more complex. The battle comes from the protagonist’s inner battles, societal pressures, and external impacts. Instead of only a fight between two people, the story focuses on the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and their venture toward large social forces. To understand the nature of the battle, it is important to analyze the entire story which offers a complete and clear picture of what’s happening within it.

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