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.
The narrator feels incredibly guilty that her illness is such a concern to her husband. John tells her that only she can make herself better, especially by getting lots of rest. She feels like she is failing him because she seems to be getting worse, not better.
As the narrator’s madness worsens, she begins to see herself as battling Jennie and John, hiding the secret creeping woman from them. She becomes fiercely protective of the wallpaper, and swears that no one else will touch it but her.
The narrator is going against the norms of conventional medicine at the time by going against John’s orders and diagnosis to rest and not think about her illness. Instead, the narrator thinks about her nervous condition constantly, feels guilty over it, and writes in secret against her husband’s wishes.
(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 Yellow Wallpaper”.
Encourage students to take sides on different types of conflict in the story. This active discussion helps deepen comprehension and lets students defend their interpretations using textual evidence.
Break students into small groups and give each a specific conflict type (e.g., Character vs. Self or Character vs. Society). Assign them positions to defend or critique the conflict’s impact on the story and characters.
Ask students to find direct quotes or passages that illustrate their assigned conflict. This step builds close reading skills and supports their debate positions with solid textual support.
Let each group present their arguments, then open the floor for counterpoints. Encourage students to listen actively and respond thoughtfully, fostering a respectful classroom environment.
Have students write a quick reflection on which conflict type they found most compelling and why. This activity helps them internalize key concepts and connect them to their own thinking.
“The Yellow Wallpaper” features several types of literary conflict, including Character vs. Self (the narrator struggles with her mental health), Character vs. Character (conflict with her husband John and sister-in-law Jennie), and Character vs. Society (the narrator defies societal expectations and medical advice).
To teach literary conflict, have students create a storyboard illustrating examples of each conflict type from the story. Each cell should depict a scene, label the conflict (like Man vs. Self), and include a brief explanation. This visual approach helps students analyze cause and effect in the narrative.
An example of Character vs. Self is when the narrator feels guilty for worrying her husband and struggles with her own mental health. She believes she is failing John by not getting better, creating internal conflict and self-doubt.
Identifying literary conflict strengthens students’ analytical skills by helping them understand character motivations, plot development, and thematic elements. It encourages critical thinking and deeper engagement with the text.
Quick activities include: storyboard creation, group discussions on different types of conflict, role-playing scenes, and categorizing conflicts as Character vs. Character, Self, or Society. These methods make literary analysis interactive and accessible.