Literary Conflict in Johnny Tremain

Lesson Plan Overview

Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.

Having students create storyboards that show different types of conflicts strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students choose examples of internal and external conflicts 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.

Johnny Tremain Internal and External Conflicts

Internal Conflict	External Conflict
Johnny is filled with inner turmoil after he burns his hand. He doesn’t know what to do with himself or how to create a new future. As a result, he becomes angry and depressed.	Johnny has a number of external conflicts with Dove. Every time they bicker, they are in conflict. The most important conflict between them is when Dove gives Johnny the cracked crucible which leads to Johnny’s burn.
As time goes on, Johnny is unsure how he feels about Cilla. At first he rejects her along with the rest of the Lapham family and is bored with her company. But when Rab walks her home, Johnny feels jealous. He must decide how much her friendship means to him.	Johnny has an important external conflict with Mr. Lyte when Mr. Lyte accuses Johnny of stealing his silver cup and has him arrested.
Johnny is unsure how to feel about Lieutenant Stranger. He knows that he should view him as an enemy, but he can't bring himself to imagine fighting him in battle.	One of the most obvious external conflicts is the fight between the colonial militia and the British soldiers at the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

Template and Class Instructions

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Frequently Asked Questions about Literary Conflict in Johnny Tremain

What are the main types of literary conflict in Johnny Tremain?

Johnny Tremain features both internal and external conflicts. Internal conflicts involve Johnny’s struggles with his own feelings and identity, while external conflicts include disagreements and confrontations with other characters, such as Dove, Mr. Lyte, and the British soldiers.

How can I teach literary conflict using Johnny Tremain?

Have students identify and categorize conflicts as internal or external from the story. Ask them to create a storyboard that visually depicts each conflict and includes a brief explanation. This helps students analyze and understand literary concepts in context.

What is an example of internal conflict in Johnny Tremain?

An example of internal conflict is Johnny’s struggle after burning his hand. He feels uncertain about his future, becomes angry and depressed, and must come to terms with his new identity.

What is an example of external conflict in Johnny Tremain?

A key external conflict is the incident between Johnny and Dove, where Dove gives Johnny a cracked crucible, leading to Johnny’s injury. Other examples include Johnny’s confrontation with Mr. Lyte and the battle between the colonial militia and the British.

What’s the best way to visually represent literary conflict from Johnny Tremain in the classroom?

Using a storyboard creator allows students to illustrate scenes of conflict, label them as internal or external, and provide brief descriptions. This visual approach encourages deeper understanding and engagement with the text.