What is the difference between an internal conflict and an external conflict? an external conflict is the major conflict in a work, and an internal conflict is a struggle that takes place between subordinate characters. an internal conflict takes place between two characters, while an external conflict takes place between a character and society. an internal conflict takes place within a character, but an external conflict takes place between a character and a group, a force of nature, or another character. an external conflict relates to the historical context of a literary work, while an internal conflict relates to the particular lives of the characters.