Activity Overview
Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.
Having students create storyboards that identify different types of conflict strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students find examples of various types of literary conflicts and bring them to life in a storyboard. In each storyboard, students should provide a depiction of the conflict, such as a scene demonstrating man vs. society. Below the scene, have students explain the conflict and why it falls into its category.
Literary Conflict Examples in Moon Over Manifest
MAN vs. MAN
The mine owner, Arthur Devlin, creates a conflict for many of the townspeople of Manifest, including Ned Gillen. Devlin works the men too hard, pays them poorly, and feeds ethnic prejudices. He leaves the miners disheartened and desperate.
MAN vs. SELF
Gideon is in conflict with himself when he blames himself for the deaths of those he loves. He believes that his is a “jinx” and doubts his value to his friends and daughter.
MAN vs. NATURE
The Spanish Influenza that hits Manifest in 1918 is a conflict caused by nature. The humans do their best to fight the disease, but Manifest loses many of his residents to this deadly disease.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
Many of the immigrants in Manifest feel restricted by society’s prejudices. Miss Sadie, in particular, feels the weight of prejudice. Because she does not want to bring shame and rejection on her son as a poor Hungarian immigrant, she allows him to be raised by a stranger as she watches sadly from a distance. The locals spread rumors about her and leave her to live in isolation.
Template and Class Instructions
(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 Moon Over Manifest.
- Identify conflicts in Moon Over Manifest.
- Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Technology.
- Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
- Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies conflicts as directed and labels them accurately in their correct categories. | Student misidentifies one conflict or includes it in an incorrect category. | Student misidentifies two or more conflicts or includes them in incorrect categories. |
| Conflict Explanation | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, not just a general problem. The text clearly explains how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, but may lack clarity. Text may fail to fully explain how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | Storyboard is missing text or contains only partial and/or inaccurate information. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
Activity Overview
Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.
Having students create storyboards that identify different types of conflict strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students find examples of various types of literary conflicts and bring them to life in a storyboard. In each storyboard, students should provide a depiction of the conflict, such as a scene demonstrating man vs. society. Below the scene, have students explain the conflict and why it falls into its category.
Literary Conflict Examples in Moon Over Manifest
MAN vs. MAN
The mine owner, Arthur Devlin, creates a conflict for many of the townspeople of Manifest, including Ned Gillen. Devlin works the men too hard, pays them poorly, and feeds ethnic prejudices. He leaves the miners disheartened and desperate.
MAN vs. SELF
Gideon is in conflict with himself when he blames himself for the deaths of those he loves. He believes that his is a “jinx” and doubts his value to his friends and daughter.
MAN vs. NATURE
The Spanish Influenza that hits Manifest in 1918 is a conflict caused by nature. The humans do their best to fight the disease, but Manifest loses many of his residents to this deadly disease.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
Many of the immigrants in Manifest feel restricted by society’s prejudices. Miss Sadie, in particular, feels the weight of prejudice. Because she does not want to bring shame and rejection on her son as a poor Hungarian immigrant, she allows him to be raised by a stranger as she watches sadly from a distance. The locals spread rumors about her and leave her to live in isolation.
Template and Class Instructions
(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 Moon Over Manifest.
- Identify conflicts in Moon Over Manifest.
- Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Technology.
- Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
- Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies conflicts as directed and labels them accurately in their correct categories. | Student misidentifies one conflict or includes it in an incorrect category. | Student misidentifies two or more conflicts or includes them in incorrect categories. |
| Conflict Explanation | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, not just a general problem. The text clearly explains how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, but may lack clarity. Text may fail to fully explain how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | Storyboard is missing text or contains only partial and/or inaccurate information. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
How Tos about Moon Over Manifest Literary Conflict
How to Facilitate Meaningful Class Discussions About Literary Conflict
Encourage students to share their insights after completing storyboards by leading whole-class or small-group discussions. Invite students to explain their choices and listen to others’ interpretations to deepen understanding of literary conflicts.
Prepare open-ended questions to spark conversation
Use thought-provoking prompts such as, “How might the story change if the conflict was resolved differently?” or “Why do you think the character made this choice?” to guide students’ thinking and invite multiple perspectives.
Set clear expectations for respectful dialogue
Explain discussion norms, like active listening, not interrupting, and valuing each opinion. Model respectful disagreement to foster a safe, inclusive environment where all voices are heard.
Connect conflicts to students’ own experiences
Relate literary conflicts to real-life situations or current events. Ask students if they have faced similar challenges or seen such conflicts in their communities, making the lesson more relevant and engaging.
Reflect on discussion outcomes to reinforce learning
Summarize key points or ask students to jot down new ideas gained from the discussion. Encourage students to revisit their storyboards and update them based on fresh insights.
Frequently Asked Questions about Moon Over Manifest Literary Conflict
What are the main types of literary conflict in Moon Over Manifest?
Moon Over Manifest features several types of literary conflict, including man vs. man (e.g., townspeople vs. Arthur Devlin), man vs. self (Gideon struggling with guilt), man vs. nature (the Spanish Influenza epidemic), and man vs. society (immigrants facing prejudice). Each conflict type highlights different character struggles and themes.
How can I teach literary conflict using Moon Over Manifest in my classroom?
Use storyboarding to help students visually identify and analyze different types of conflict in Moon Over Manifest. Have students illustrate scenes representing conflicts, label the conflict type, and write brief explanations below each scene to deepen understanding.
What is an example of man vs. society conflict in Moon Over Manifest?
A strong man vs. society conflict in Moon Over Manifest is Miss Sadie's experience as a Hungarian immigrant. She faces prejudice and isolation from the community, choosing to distance herself from her son to protect him from discrimination.
Why is storyboarding effective for analyzing literary conflicts?
Storyboarding engages students visually and analytically, helping them break down complex literary conflicts into clear, understandable scenes. It encourages deeper comprehension by combining illustration with written explanation, making abstract concepts concrete and memorable.
What grade levels are best suited for a Moon Over Manifest literary conflict lesson?
This literary conflict activity is designed for grades 6–8. The content and analysis level are appropriate for middle school students and can be adapted for individuals, partners, or groups.
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