Can a person escape fate? This is the essence of a man vs. fate conflict. It’s a battle between what a character wants and what the universe has planned.
What Is Man vs. Fate?
Man vs. fate is an external conflict where a character struggles against a predetermined future. This fate could come in the form of a prophecy, divine will, a curse, or an unavoidable event. The character often tries to resist, change, or escape their destiny.
Stories like these often start with a character learning about their predetermined future. The rest of the story explores whether they accept it (willingly or not) or fight against it.
At its core, man vs. fate is about control. The universe itself is the enemy. Against such a colossal foe, are a character’s actions a sign of free will or merely threads in an inevitable pattern?
Key Elements
Here are some key elements of a man vs. fate conflict:
A Prophecy, Omen, or Predestined Path
At the heart of a man vs. fate story is the idea that the character’s future is already set. This could be through a prophecy, a curse, a divine decree, or an inescapable pattern of events.
The Character’s Resistance
The protagonist often refuses to accept their fate, believing they can change or escape it. It leads to conflicts between their desires and the forces controlling their destiny.
A Thematic Exploration of Free Will
Most man vs. fate conflicts focus on the idea of free will. They question whether resistance is futile or if free will can prevail. The more they fight, the more fate seems to tighten its grip, whether through coincidences, misinterpretations, or ironic twists.
Can you change your future? Are you truly free, or are your choices just an illusion? The story often doesn’t provide easy answers.
The Inevitable Twist
Despite their efforts, the character often finds themselves unexpectedly fulfilling fate. Their struggle might even be the very thing that ensures fate’s fulfillment, creating irony.
Internal Struggle
A character should wrestle with the consequences of their choices. A good amount of their journey is spent doubting, fearing, or questioning if they are on the correct path.
A Larger Force at Play
Fate in these stories is often represented by something beyond human control—gods, destiny, time, or even the universe itself. The character is up against something vast, unyielding, and even invincible.
Reinforcing or Defying Fate
The ending often reaffirms fate’s control—whether through tragedy or acceptance. Some stories do allow a character to break free, but usually at a great cost.
Examples of Man vs. Fate in Literature, TV, and Film
Here are a few famous examples of man vs. fate stories taken from different sources.
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
A prophecy declares that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother. To escape his fate, he flees, vowing never to return home.
Yet, this very choice leads him to unknowingly fulfill the prophecy. In the end, he accepts his fate, blinds himself, and chooses exile.
Supernatural
Brothers Sam and Dean hunt evil for a living. Over time, they discover they are the true vessels for the archangels Michael and Lucifer.
Refusing to submit to their destined roles, they fight against heaven and hell’s plans, determined to forge their own path. Their choice sets off a chain of events that challenges the very fabric of existence.
Final Destination
A group of teenagers escapes death after one of them has a premonition of an impending disaster. But as time passes, they start dying one by one, as Death hunts them down to restore the natural order.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Three witches prophesy that Macbeth will become King of Scotland. Driven by ambition, he and his wife murder the king and seize the throne.
Plagued by guilt and paranoia, Macbeth kills anyone he sees as a threat. Desperate, he turns to the witches again. Their riddles make him overconfident, even believing he is invincible. In the end, his arrogance destroys him, leading to his death.
The Lion King
Mufasa, king of the Pride Lands, is killed by his brother, Scar. Blaming himself for his father’s death, Simba runs away and starts a new life, embracing a carefree existence.
But destiny calls him back. In the end, he returns to confront Scar, reclaim his throne, and embrace the legacy he once feared.
The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne
Young Corban is the prophesied Bright Star, destined to save the Banished Lands. But his path is fraught with doubt, struggle, and uncertainty. Meanwhile, Nathair embraces his foretold role, unaware it’s a lie that leads him to serve the very evil he seeks to destroy.
How to Write a Compelling Man vs. Fate Story
Below are some tips for writing an effective man vs. fate conflict.
Establish Fate Early
Introduce the prophecy, divine decree, or inevitable event early on. You need to let your readers understand the challenge your protagonist faces.
Make the Protagonist Relatable
A great man vs. fate story needs a strong character who resists fate for a good reason. Give them clear desires, flaws, and motivations.
The obstacles they face should match the power of fate itself. If fate is inevitable, their struggle should be intense, filled with setbacks and moments of doubt. If fate can be defied, make the cost high—victory should never come easily.
Most importantly, show how the battle against fate shapes them. Do they grow stronger, or does the fight break them?
Fate Must Move
Fate shouldn’t be passive, but it also shouldn’t be a typical villain. Instead, it should be a powerful, indifferent force that ignores the protagonist’s struggle.
Readers should sense its presence, whether through foreshadowing, symbolism, or recurring patterns. The more the protagonist resists, the more fate seems to close in.
A Twist
Man vs. fate stories may seem simple—a character learns their destiny, fights against it, and either escapes or succumbs. But the real power lies in how the journey unfolds. Surprise your readers by subverting tropes or create a sense of familiarity by embracing them.
Decide on an Ending
While many man vs. fate stories lean toward tragedy, that isn’t the only option. Will your character overcome fate, succumb to it, or find a middle ground? Make the ending feel earned and thematically satisfying, whether it’s tragic, triumphant, or somewhere in between.
Conclusion
A great man vs. fate story isn’t just about destiny—it’s about the struggle to define one’s own path. Fate may set the stage, but it’s the character’s choices, struggles, and growth that make the story unforgettable. Whether they resist, embrace, or redefine their fate, their journey should leave a lasting impact on your reader.
What’s your favorite example of man vs. fate? Share your thoughts below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Types of Conflict in Literature: How to Challenge Your Characters
- 3 Killer Plot Twists in Fiction: And How They Blow Our Minds
- Jungian Archetypes: A Writer’s Guide to Timeless Characters
- Man vs. Self: How to Write Powerful Internal Conflict
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
