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.
Examples of Literary Conflict in “The Yellow Wall-paper”
MAN vs. SELF
The narrator feels incredibly guilty that her illness is such a concern to her husband. John tells her that only she can make herself better, especially by getting lots of rest. She feels like she is failing him because she seems to be getting worse, not better.
MAN vs. MAN
As the narrator’s madness worsens, she begins to see herself as battling Jennie and John, hiding the secret creeping woman from them. She becomes fiercely protective of the wallpaper, and swears that no one else will touch it but her.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
The narrator is going against the norms of conventional medicine at the time by going against John’s orders and diagnosis to rest and not think about her illness. Instead, the narrator thinks about her nervous condition constantly, feels guilty over it, and writes in secret against her husband’s wishes.
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 Yellow Wallpaper”.
- Identify conflicts in “The Yellow Wallpaper”.
- 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.
Examples of Literary Conflict in “The Yellow Wall-paper”
MAN vs. SELF
The narrator feels incredibly guilty that her illness is such a concern to her husband. John tells her that only she can make herself better, especially by getting lots of rest. She feels like she is failing him because she seems to be getting worse, not better.
MAN vs. MAN
As the narrator’s madness worsens, she begins to see herself as battling Jennie and John, hiding the secret creeping woman from them. She becomes fiercely protective of the wallpaper, and swears that no one else will touch it but her.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
The narrator is going against the norms of conventional medicine at the time by going against John’s orders and diagnosis to rest and not think about her illness. Instead, the narrator thinks about her nervous condition constantly, feels guilty over it, and writes in secret against her husband’s wishes.
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 Yellow Wallpaper”.
- Identify conflicts in “The Yellow Wallpaper”.
- 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 Literary Conflict in “The Yellow Wall-paper”
Organize a classroom debate on literary conflict themes
Encourage students to take sides on different types of conflict in the story. This active discussion helps deepen comprehension and lets students defend their interpretations using textual evidence.
Assign debate roles and topics based on conflict types
Break students into small groups and give each a specific conflict type (e.g., Character vs. Self or Character vs. Society). Assign them positions to defend or critique the conflict’s impact on the story and characters.
Guide students to gather evidence from the text
Ask students to find direct quotes or passages that illustrate their assigned conflict. This step builds close reading skills and supports their debate positions with solid textual support.
Facilitate the debate and encourage respectful rebuttals
Let each group present their arguments, then open the floor for counterpoints. Encourage students to listen actively and respond thoughtfully, fostering a respectful classroom environment.
Wrap up with a reflective writing prompt
Have students write a quick reflection on which conflict type they found most compelling and why. This activity helps them internalize key concepts and connect them to their own thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Literary Conflict in “The Yellow Wall-paper”
What are the main types of literary conflict in “The Yellow Wallpaper”?
“The Yellow Wallpaper” features several types of literary conflict, including Character vs. Self (the narrator struggles with her mental health), Character vs. Character (conflict with her husband John and sister-in-law Jennie), and Character vs. Society (the narrator defies societal expectations and medical advice).
How can I teach literary conflict using storyboards for “The Yellow Wallpaper”?
To teach literary conflict, have students create a storyboard illustrating examples of each conflict type from the story. Each cell should depict a scene, label the conflict (like Man vs. Self), and include a brief explanation. This visual approach helps students analyze cause and effect in the narrative.
What is an example of Character vs. Self conflict in “The Yellow Wallpaper”?
An example of Character vs. Self is when the narrator feels guilty for worrying her husband and struggles with her own mental health. She believes she is failing John by not getting better, creating internal conflict and self-doubt.
Why is identifying literary conflict important for high school students?
Identifying literary conflict strengthens students’ analytical skills by helping them understand character motivations, plot development, and thematic elements. It encourages critical thinking and deeper engagement with the text.
What are some quick classroom activities for teaching conflict in “The Yellow Wallpaper”?
Quick activities include: storyboard creation, group discussions on different types of conflict, role-playing scenes, and categorizing conflicts as Character vs. Character, Self, or Society. These methods make literary analysis interactive and accessible.
More Storyboard That Activities
Yellow Wall-paper, The
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