Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflict. 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.
Colonel Lanser wants Mayor Orden’s cooperation so that the occupation will go smoothly; however, Mayor Orden knows that his people would not want that and so he refuses. He also refuses to condemn Alex Morden for murdering Captain Bentick, since no crime was committed against the townspeople.
Molly hates the occupiers because they murdered her husband; however, when Lieutenant Tonder comes to visit her, she falters for a second because she is confused and lonely. She also recognizes the humanity in Tonder, and knows that in different circumstances, maybe she could like him and connect with him. In the end though, she murders him.
George Corell’s treachery goes against the very basic ideals of freedom that the townspeople ascribe to. His plan to rid the town of all defenses, leaving it vulnerable to the occupiers and then his collaboration with them leads Mayor Orden to decide it is best to get rid of him; it is best for the people to no longer see him in the streets. The Anders boys try to kidnap him and kill him, but fail; Corell survives, and is granted more authority by the leadership in the Capital.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in The Moon is Down.
Hosting a debate encourages active participation and helps students analyze different perspectives on conflicts in 'The Moon is Down'. This activity builds critical thinking and communication skills.
Assign each group a specific conflict type, such as Man vs. Man or Man vs. Society. This focus allows students to become experts on their assigned category and prepares them to defend their viewpoints.
Ask students to gather quotes and examples showing their conflict in action within the story. This step strengthens close reading skills and ensures debates are grounded in the text.
Guide groups to present their arguments and respectfully challenge others. This format allows for meaningful discussion and helps students articulate their understanding of literary conflict.
Wrap up by having students discuss or write about which conflict type drives the plot the most. This reflection deepens literary analysis and connects debate insights to overall comprehension.
The Moon is Down features key types of literary conflict: man vs. man (e.g., Colonel Lanser vs. Mayor Orden), man vs. self (e.g., Molly’s inner struggle), and man vs. society (e.g., George Corell’s betrayal against the town). These conflicts help drive the plot and develop the characters.
To create a storyboard lesson, select scenes that show different types of conflict (like character vs. character or character vs. society). Illustrate each scene, label the conflict type, and write a brief explanation below each cell. This helps students visually understand and analyze literary conflicts.
An example of character vs. self conflict is when Molly struggles with her feelings toward Lieutenant Tonder. She feels lonely and briefly connects with him, but ultimately chooses to act against him, reflecting her inner turmoil.
Teaching literary conflict helps students understand character motivations, plot development, and themes. It enhances critical thinking and enables students to analyze how writers create tension and resolve issues within a story.
Effective activities include storyboarding conflict scenes, categorizing conflicts (e.g., man vs. society), group discussions, and writing short descriptions of each conflict. These approaches engage students and deepen their comprehension of the novel’s themes.