What role does conflict play in literature?

Conflict is central to the development of characters within a narrative. It creates tension and challenges that characters must navigate, leading to growth and transformation. As characters face obstacles, their responses reveal their values, motivations, and inner struggles, allowing readers to gain a deeper insight into who they are. This process of dealing with conflict often serves as a catalyst for character development, pushing individuals to confront their fears, make difficult choices, or change in significant ways.

While other choices mention aspects like thematic introduction or narrative clarity, these elements often emerge as a result of characters engaging with conflict. Thus, it is specifically the presence of conflict that drives character arcs and dynamics, making it a foundational component in literature.