Two types of conflict, internal and external, keep the story moving forward. “‘Johnny is not dead.’ My voice was shaking. ‘Johnny is not dead (pg. 165).’” In this quote, Ponyboy is fighting against himself, not believing that Johnny, who treated him like a brother, is actually dead. This conflict drives him to near insanity, and he writes this emotional book. As conflict propels the story forward, it also shapes the plot, theme, tone, and mood of the novel. The rivalry between the Greasers and the Socs is an example of external conflict. This conflict is the foundation of the plot of the story. When the Socs jumped Ponyboy and Johnny at the park, that directly led to the climax of the story. Conflict in this story affects Ponyboy mentally
