What Is a Character vs. God Conflict?

Learn
About the Literary Conflict With Examples
Written by MasterClass https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-character-vs-god-
conflict-learn-about-the-literary-conflict-with-examples

Last updated: Sep 8, 2021 • 3 min read

Conflict is a fundamental element in storytelling, propelling the narrative forward and creating
tension and drama. When characters face a religious conflict in literature, it is known as a
character vs. god conflict.

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Jump To Section
 What Is a Character vs. God Conflict in Literature?
 What are the 6 Types of Literary Conflicts?
 2 Examples of Character vs. God Conflict in Contemporary Literature
 How to Use Character vs. God Conflict in 5 Steps
 Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers

What Is a Character vs. God Conflict in Literature?

In literature, stories driven by character vs. god conflict feature a protagonist who is in conflict
with a god, religion, or fate. The conflict can stem from a character’s inner turmoil with religion
or an external clash with organized religion or an actual god, as is often seen in Greek
mythology.

The character vs. god conflict originated in Greek mythology, where gods constantly dabbled in
the fate of humans. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus travels home after the Trojan
War, only to face several gods who thwart his attempts, keeping him adrift on the Mediterranean
for ten years. The use of multiple antagonists creates ongoing conflict in this epic, increasing the
dramatic tension.

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What are the 6 Types of Literary Conflicts?

There are six main types of literary conflicts, each serving a different purpose in a story.

1. 1. Character vs. Self

2. 2. Character vs. Character
3. 3. Character vs. Nature
4. 4. Character vs. God/Supernatural
5. 5. Character vs. Technology
6. 6. Character vs. Society

Learn more about the six types of conflict in our complete guide here.

2 Examples of Character vs. God Conflict in Contemporary

Literature
God, fate, and religion are rife with conflict. In literature, this conflict translates into compelling,
character-driven narratives. Here are some examples of how writers have used god vs. religion as
a source of conflict.

1. 1. Dan Brown, Origin. Dan Brown’s draws religion, art, and the theory of evolution
together. A wealthy tech entrepreneur claims he has scientific proof that will put an end to
the belief in organized religion. When he turns up dead, a Catholic Bishop is the prime
suspect. Origin uses the character vs. god conflict to parallel the real-world tension between
science and religion. Learn more about writing conflict in Dan Brown’s MasterClass.
2. 2. Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Good Omens. In this fantasy novel, good and evil
are represented by an angel and demon in human form who have joined forces against the
impending apocalypse. Eleven-year-old Adam is, unknowingly, the Antichrist—an
adversary of Christ and the Devil’s pawn—who must usher in the apocalypse. The character
vs. God conflict is represented by Adam’s internal struggle between his responsibilities as
the Antichrist and doing what he knows to be right, even if it changes the course of fate.
How to Use Character vs. God Conflict in 5 Steps
Whether you’re writing a short story or a novel, a character vs. god conflict can add tension and
create richer, more complex characters. Here are tips for how to use a character vs. god conflict
in your writing.

 1. Define your character’s goals. From the beginning of the story, introduce your character
along with the goal that’s their driving force. How does getting what they want conflict with
religion? How is the character vs. god conflict going to push your story forward?
 2. Know your religion. Unless you’re inventing a new religion in your novel, do your
research. Know what you’re writing about: this means symbols, rites, rituals, and beliefs.
Mine those artifacts for an antagonistic element that can be used to heighten the conflict.
 3. Pick your POV. In a narrative driven by a character vs. god conflict, it’s a good idea to
have at least some of the conflict play out internally in order to create morally ambiguous
characters who struggle with questions surrounding the nature of faith. Write in either first
person (where your protagonist is the narrator and reveals their thoughts) or third-person
limited omniscient (where your narrator is an outside observer who has access to your
protagonist and their thoughts).
 4. Create imagery for the intangible. Unless you’re writing a story about Greek
mythology and direct, external conflict, there are not many built-in visuals that represent a
character vs. god conflict. Map out how you’re going to represent god and religion. What
symbolic representations can you incorporate? How are you going to help the reader
visualize the conflict?
 5. Choose a symbolic setting. Dan Brown’s novel Origin takes place in Italy, a country
with a rich religious history. Carefully consider the setting for your story and your scenes.
Are there particular places that have some significance to the character vs. god conflict
you’re exploring?

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