Activity Overview
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.
MAN vs. SELF
The narrator is in conflict with himself. He knows that he has been found guilty, and he almost at times seems to accept his punishment. However, this does not stop him from trying to explore his dungeon, or escape from both the pendulum and the pit, suggesting that despite the real human reactions to such horrors, he also knows that he doesn’t deserve to die.
MAN vs. NATURE
The narrator battles the elements – contrived by man, still nonetheless out of his control – in the chamber. First, he must figure out how to escape from the pendulum. While on the board, his fingers are also bitten by rats as he tries to shoo them away from the meat. After he escapes the pendulum, he must try to push back against the walls, which are pushing him towards the pit, which offers nothing but death.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
The narrator is in this torture chamber to begin with because he was found guilty during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. While he does not explain why he was found guilty, common reasons for guilty sentences during the Spanish Inquisition included: practicing another religion in secret; heresy; refusal to convert; and political opposition to the monarchy.
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 “The Pit and the Pendulum”.
- Identify conflicts in “The Pit and the Pendulum”.
- 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 | Try Again | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies correct major conflicts and uses strong, clear textual evidence to support choice. | Student identifies correct major conflict and uses few or unclear details to support their choice. | Student identifies incorrect major conflict, and uses some details from the text to support their choice. | Student does not attempt to identify major conflict or identifies incorrect major conflict with no explanation. |
| Understanding Outcome | Student clearly shows the outcome of the conflict and its effects on the protagonist with evidence from the text. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict and its effect on the protagonist, but some evidence is unclear. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict, but does not examine its effect on the protagonist and uses some vague textual evidence. | Student does not clearly show the outcome of the conflict or use textual evidence. |
| Character | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. Goes above and beyond by adding additional details. | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. | Storyboard includes protagonist and antagonist but leaves out other required characters. | Storyboard does not include the names of required characters. |
| Storyboard | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting the scene of the book | Student attempts to convey setting and scene of the book, but lacks some clarity. | Student does not clearly convey the setting and scene. | Student makes little or no attempt to convey the setting or scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes a minor error in spelling and grammar. | Student makes several minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes many errors in spelling and grammar; little attempt at spellchecking. |
Activity Overview
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.
MAN vs. SELF
The narrator is in conflict with himself. He knows that he has been found guilty, and he almost at times seems to accept his punishment. However, this does not stop him from trying to explore his dungeon, or escape from both the pendulum and the pit, suggesting that despite the real human reactions to such horrors, he also knows that he doesn’t deserve to die.
MAN vs. NATURE
The narrator battles the elements – contrived by man, still nonetheless out of his control – in the chamber. First, he must figure out how to escape from the pendulum. While on the board, his fingers are also bitten by rats as he tries to shoo them away from the meat. After he escapes the pendulum, he must try to push back against the walls, which are pushing him towards the pit, which offers nothing but death.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
The narrator is in this torture chamber to begin with because he was found guilty during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. While he does not explain why he was found guilty, common reasons for guilty sentences during the Spanish Inquisition included: practicing another religion in secret; heresy; refusal to convert; and political opposition to the monarchy.
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 “The Pit and the Pendulum”.
- Identify conflicts in “The Pit and the Pendulum”.
- 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 | Try Again | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies correct major conflicts and uses strong, clear textual evidence to support choice. | Student identifies correct major conflict and uses few or unclear details to support their choice. | Student identifies incorrect major conflict, and uses some details from the text to support their choice. | Student does not attempt to identify major conflict or identifies incorrect major conflict with no explanation. |
| Understanding Outcome | Student clearly shows the outcome of the conflict and its effects on the protagonist with evidence from the text. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict and its effect on the protagonist, but some evidence is unclear. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict, but does not examine its effect on the protagonist and uses some vague textual evidence. | Student does not clearly show the outcome of the conflict or use textual evidence. |
| Character | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. Goes above and beyond by adding additional details. | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. | Storyboard includes protagonist and antagonist but leaves out other required characters. | Storyboard does not include the names of required characters. |
| Storyboard | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting the scene of the book | Student attempts to convey setting and scene of the book, but lacks some clarity. | Student does not clearly convey the setting and scene. | Student makes little or no attempt to convey the setting or scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes a minor error in spelling and grammar. | Student makes several minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes many errors in spelling and grammar; little attempt at spellchecking. |
How Tos about \"The Pit and the Pendulum\" Literary Conflict
How to facilitate a class discussion about literary conflict using "The Pit and the Pendulum"
Engage students by starting with open-ended questions about the narrator’s challenges in the story. Encourage connections between students’ experiences and the conflicts faced by the character to foster deeper understanding.
Guide students to identify and categorize conflicts in the text
Ask students to find key moments where the narrator faces obstacles. Help them decide if each obstacle is internal, external, or societal, and discuss why.
Encourage students to support their ideas with textual evidence
Prompt students to quote or reference specific passages that show each type of conflict. This practice builds strong reading and analytical skills.
Foster respectful debate about the most significant conflict in the story
Divide the class into small groups, assigning each a conflict type. Have groups present and defend why their assigned conflict is most crucial, supporting claims with details from the story.
Wrap up with a reflection activity
Ask students to write a brief reflection on how understanding conflict enhances their appreciation of the story. This step helps students internalize the lesson and apply it to future readings.
Frequently Asked Questions about \"The Pit and the Pendulum\" Literary Conflict
What are the main types of literary conflict in "The Pit and the Pendulum"?
The main types of literary conflict in "The Pit and the Pendulum" are Man vs. Self (the narrator’s internal struggle), Man vs. Nature (the physical dangers in the chamber), and Man vs. Society (the injustice of the Spanish Inquisition). Each conflict drives the suspense and develops the story’s themes.
How can I teach literary conflict using storyboards for "The Pit and the Pendulum"?
To teach literary conflict with storyboards, have students identify examples of different conflicts in the story, illustrate them in storyboard panels, and write brief explanations. This visual approach helps students analyze conflict types and understand cause and effect within the plot.
What is an example of Man vs. Self conflict in "The Pit and the Pendulum"?
An example of Man vs. Self conflict is the narrator’s struggle with fear and despair. Despite facing death, he battles his own thoughts and refuses to give up hope, constantly searching for ways to escape and survive.
Why is conflict important in "The Pit and the Pendulum"?
Conflict is crucial because it creates suspense and emotional depth. The narrator’s various struggles highlight human resilience and the horrors of the Inquisition, making the story compelling and relatable for readers.
What storyboard instructions should I give students for analyzing conflict in this story?
Instruct students to create a storyboard with at least three panels: each panel should depict a different type of conflict (e.g., Man vs. Self, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Society), include a visual scene, and a short written description explaining the conflict and its significance.
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Pit and the Pendulum, The
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