Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.
Having students create storyboards that show the cause and effect of different types of conflicts strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict them using the storyboard creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.
Jig seems unsure of what she should do. She knows that no matter what choice she makes, her relationship with the American man can never go back to the way it was. She also seems to have to talk herself into accepting that she will do the procedure, rather than making the choice willingly.
Jig and the American man are at odds with one another. He wants her to have the operation, but she is not as willing to do so. He wants them to be together and travel as they have been doing, but she knows that it is much more complicated than that no matter what decision she makes. Ultimately, she just wants him to stop talking, and he walks away, hoping to clear some of the tension between them.
What the American man and Jig are discussing doing is at odds with society, especially in the 1920s, where abortion was illegal in many countries and in the United States. While they know others who have gone through with it and seem to be happy with their decision, it is still a risk, and it is still a major decision that is frowned upon by many.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in “Hills Like White Elephants”.
Modify storyboard templates to include simpler vocabulary and larger images for grades 2–8. This helps younger students access complex literary ideas with confidence.
Pick familiar or grade-level texts with obvious problems characters face. Stories like 'Charlotte's Web' or 'Because of Winn-Dixie' make it easier for students to spot and discuss conflict types.
Explain the main conflict categories—Character vs. Character, Self, Society, Nature, Technology—using simple examples. Provide anchor charts or visuals to reinforce understanding.
Encourage creativity with drawings, cut-outs, or digital art for each conflict. Offer sentence starters to help them write a short description under each illustration.
Invite students to present their storyboards and explain each conflict. This builds speaking confidence and reinforces lesson objectives for everyone.
The primary types of literary conflict in 'Hills Like White Elephants' are Character vs. Self (Jig's internal struggle), Character vs. Character (the disagreement between Jig and the American man), and Character vs. Society (their decision's clash with 1920s social norms).
You can teach literary conflict by having students identify and illustrate examples from the story, such as internal and interpersonal struggles, using storyboards. This helps students analyze how conflict drives the plot and character development.
An example of Character vs. Self conflict is Jig's uncertainty about her decision and her struggle to accept the consequences, showing her deep internal dilemma.
Storyboarding visually breaks down scenes, helping students clearly see cause and effect in conflicts. It encourages deeper analysis and a better understanding of literary concepts by connecting text to images.
The story highlights how the characters' choices conflict with 1920s societal norms, especially regarding controversial topics like abortion, illustrating the pressures and judgments faced by individuals during that era.