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.
After Tariq hears that neighborhood bully Khadim had sprayed Laila with urine from a water gun to mock her “yellow hair”, he attacks Khadim with his prosthetic leg. After the fight, Khadim never bothers Laila again.
Laila wakes up after her parents are killed by a rocket that hit their house, finding that she has been saved and taken care of by Rasheed. She also knows that she is pregnant with Tariq’s child, and that as an unwed mother, she will be in danger. Despite Mariam’s objections and obvious anger at the threat she feels Laila poses, Laila agrees to marry Rasheed to protect herself and her baby.
Laila and Mariam try to escape on a bus to Peshawar with Aziza. However, they cannot board the bus without a male family member, so they enlist the help of someone they deem to be a friendly man. He turns them in to the authorities, who send them back to Rasheed. It is a crime for a woman to run away from her husband, according to the Taliban.
(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 A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Begin by outlining what you want students to learn about literary conflict. Clear objectives help students focus and understand why these concepts matter in stories like A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Use simple, real-life scenarios or stories your students know to explain each conflict type. Relatable examples make abstract ideas more concrete and memorable for grades 2–8.
Model how to spot different conflicts in the book you’re reading together. Think aloud as you work, then have students try it with a partner or small group.
Draw a chart on the board or use poster paper to track examples of each conflict type from your current readings. Invite students to add to it as they find new examples, building ownership and deepening understanding.
Have students create their own storyboards, comic strips, or digital slideshows showing each conflict type. Creative projects let students demonstrate learning in a fun, hands-on way.
A Thousand Splendid Suns features several types of literary conflict: Man vs. Man (characters in direct opposition), Man vs. Self (internal struggles), and Man vs. Society (characters against societal norms or laws). These conflicts drive the plot and reveal the characters' growth and challenges.
Use storyboarding to help students identify and illustrate different conflicts. Have students select scenes showing character vs. character, character vs. self, and character vs. society, then create storyboards with images and brief explanations for each conflict type.
A key Man vs. Man conflict occurs when Tariq defends Laila by fighting Khadim, the neighborhood bully. This scene highlights personal bravery and the protective relationships between characters.
Recognizing different literary conflicts helps students understand character motivations, plot development, and the underlying themes of a story. It encourages critical thinking and deeper literary analysis.
The Storyboard Creator is an effective tool for visually representing conflicts. Students can illustrate scenes, label conflict types, and write short descriptions, making abstract concepts more concrete and engaging.