Activity Overview
There are many, many conflicts that arise in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Some are physical, and some are inherent in the properties of the story’s setting.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Literary Conflict Examples
MAN vs. MAN
Stacey fights with T.J. after T.J. cheated on a test and Stacey got in trouble for it. Mama found T.J.’s cheat sheet in Stacey’s possession and whipped Stacey.
MAN vs. SELF
Stacey feels responsible for Papa's broken leg because he wasn't strong enough to hold Jack when Papa was shot trying to fix the wheels. Papa's gunshot wound was not serious, but the broken leg stops Papa from being able to work.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
Cassie is made to address a white child as if she were superior to her and to apologize for something that wasn't her fault. In the Mississippi society at the time, black people were viewed as inferior to white people.
MAN vs. NATURE
The fire in the cotton field threatens the livelihood of the Logan family. In addition, if the fire were to spread beyond the Logan land, all of the surrounding land would be in danger too. The Logans and the other members of the community work hard to put out the fire.
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 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
- Identify conflicts in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
- 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
There are many, many conflicts that arise in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Some are physical, and some are inherent in the properties of the story’s setting.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Literary Conflict Examples
MAN vs. MAN
Stacey fights with T.J. after T.J. cheated on a test and Stacey got in trouble for it. Mama found T.J.’s cheat sheet in Stacey’s possession and whipped Stacey.
MAN vs. SELF
Stacey feels responsible for Papa's broken leg because he wasn't strong enough to hold Jack when Papa was shot trying to fix the wheels. Papa's gunshot wound was not serious, but the broken leg stops Papa from being able to work.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
Cassie is made to address a white child as if she were superior to her and to apologize for something that wasn't her fault. In the Mississippi society at the time, black people were viewed as inferior to white people.
MAN vs. NATURE
The fire in the cotton field threatens the livelihood of the Logan family. In addition, if the fire were to spread beyond the Logan land, all of the surrounding land would be in danger too. The Logans and the other members of the community work hard to put out the fire.
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 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
- Identify conflicts in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
- 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 Literary Conflict in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Spark deeper discussions about literary conflict with engaging classroom debates
Encourage students to form small groups, each representing a different type of conflict from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Assign each group a conflict (e.g., Man vs. Society) and have them prepare arguments explaining why their conflict is the most impactful in the story. This activity builds critical thinking and helps students analyze multiple perspectives.
Assign each student a conflict type and character to analyze
Give students a specific conflict type (like Man vs. Self) and a character (such as Stacey). Ask them to find examples from the book that show their assigned conflict and explain how it shapes the character's actions. This helps students connect textual evidence to character development.
Guide students to create visual conflict maps
Ask students to draw or digitally design a map showing where and how major conflicts occur in the story. Encourage creativity by allowing them to use symbols or images for each conflict. This visual approach makes abstract concepts more concrete and memorable.
Facilitate a class reflection on how conflicts relate to real life
Lead a discussion where students connect literary conflicts from the novel to situations they might encounter outside of school. Prompt students to share personal experiences or news stories that mirror the book's conflicts. This fosters empathy and real-world understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Literary Conflict in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
What types of literary conflict are found in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry features several types of literary conflict, including man vs. man (character vs. character), man vs. self (internal struggle), man vs. society (character vs. societal norms), and man vs. nature (struggle against natural forces).
How can I teach literary conflict using Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
To teach literary conflict with this novel, have students identify examples of conflict as they read, categorize them (e.g., man vs. man, man vs. self), and discuss how these conflicts drive the plot. Visual activities like storyboards help reinforce understanding.
What is an example of man vs. society conflict in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
An example of man vs. society is when Cassie is forced to apologize to a white child for something she didn't do, reflecting the racial injustice and societal norms of 1930s Mississippi.
Why is understanding conflict important when reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
Understanding conflict helps students grasp character motivations, themes, and the impact of historical context in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. It deepens comprehension by connecting personal struggles to larger social issues.
What are some quick activities for teaching literary conflict in middle school?
Quick activities include group discussions about conflicts in the novel, creating storyboards to illustrate conflicts, and writing short descriptions of each conflict type using examples from the story.
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
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