Gone Girl: Conflict
By John Helman Man vs. Man Conflict: Nick vs. Amy Nick and Amy have conflict with each other because their relationship isn’t very functional, but they have flashes of the old love they had for each other, which keeps them together, hoping to return to that happy state. Nick feels like Amy is becoming distant and doesn’t love him anymore because she’s been more nagging and less fun recently. Nick and Amy also have conflict because Amy discovers that Nick cheated on her with Amy since she stopped being “cool girl” and Nick feels like after Amy disappears that she is framing him for murder. "We tell them about the woodshed, and we tell them Amy is framing me." (Flynn 360) Man vs. Nature Conflict: Nick vs. Death Penalty Nick’s natural fear of death (or the death penalty, rather) creates a conflict. He has conflict with death because he knows he’s innocent, but may be killed because nobody believes him. He also has conflict with death simply because he still has a lot to live for even though Amy no longer trusts or loves him. "'And Missouri has the death penalty,' I said. 'Fun game.'" (Flynn 313) Man vs. Society Conflict: Nick vs. The People and the Press Nick faces society by constantly being under the communities eye. People like Ellen Abbott and Shawna bash him and focus in on small little thing she did (like not looking sad enough) and trying to turn it into an interesting story so they could make money. The press, police and Amy’s family stop believing Nick and formulate opinions. "'A shocking story to report today: a beautiful, young woman who was the inspiration for the Amazing Amy book series. Missing. House torn apart. Hubby is Lance Nicholas Dunne, an unemployed writer who now owns a bar he bought with his wife's money. Want to know how worried he is? These are photos taken since his wife, Amy Elliott Dunne, went missing July fifth--their five-year anniversary." (Flynn 217-218) Man vs. Self: Nick vs. His Conscience Nick faces himself because he knows what he did was wrong and that he shouldn’t have cheated on Amy. He also knows that he deserves to be punished. But, on the other side, Amy framing him for murder is cruel and unusual so, despite the fact that he cheated on Amy he feels that he is being punished for more than he did. He also feels torn because he wants to show everyone he’s a good person, but deep down inside he knows he isn’t always. "I have a pretty young, very young mistress, and her name is Andie. I know. It's bad." (Flynn 193) |