A struggle between opposing forces in a literary work is the

In a literary work, the struggle between opposing forces is called conflict. Conflict is the main problem or challenge that the characters face in the story. It can be a struggle between a character and an external force (such as nature or another character) or an internal conflict (such as a character's own thoughts or emotions). Conflict is essential to the plot of the story and often leads to a climax, which is the most intense point of the conflict. The denouement is the resolution or outcome of the conflict, where the loose ends of the story are tied up.