Conflict

Conflict 

Within the novel conflict seem to be throughout the storyline. The conflict was represented in many form such as internal conflict where one has conflict within itself and external conflict where it can be with outer forces such as other person or groups.

Man vs. Self

Many instances of man vs. self are in the novel, primarily in the people who have genetic variations. Sophie has six toes on both feet, and she conceals them with her shoes. However, when her feet start to hurt her too much, she struggles with herself over whether she can reveal it to David. Eventually, she does, and he accepts her. David also struggles with himself over whether to reveal his telepathy and whether he wants to have a place in a society that rejects him.

Man vs. Man

Multiple episodes of man vs. man conflict are in the novel. For example, David is in conflict with Inspector Joseph Storm after he learns about Sophie's secret. David tries to conceal it while the inspector tries to discover the truth. David is also in conflict with his father, who discovers that he has been keeping Sophie's secret. However, the primary conflict of man vs. man is between the Waknuk people and the Sealanders, who come to rescue the telepaths and others with deviations. The Sealanders fight the Waknuk and take away those who wish to escape the society's oppressive rules.

Man vs. Society

The shape-thinkers, or telepaths, are in conflict with society because they must fight against the strict rules that the Waknuk people have imposed in order to save their own lives. Some of the telepaths choose to run away, while others choose to try to fight the rules and the prejudices that helped to create them. For instance, Harriet tries to save her baby who has deviations by asking Emily to swap babies with her. The conflict then becomes man vs. man as the request puts Harriet and Emily at odds, but it is society's rules that Harriet is really fighting.