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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/10166
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Of course there is narrative fiction without conflict. Example:

- Adalbert Stifter's novel [Der Nachsommer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Nachsommer) describes the idyllic life and growth from childhood to maturity of a young man during [Biedermeier](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biedermeier). The story is completely devoid of any kind of conflict.

Many children's books tell tales that do not feature an antagonist and are free of conflict, instead they focus on learning (usually without resistance on the part of the protagonist) or happiness ([Guess how much I love you](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guess_How_Much_I_Love_You)).

You can find many examples in adult fiction, too, if you stop confusing the presence of conflict with an antagonist. An antagonist is an opposing force that the protagonist has to overcome to reach his one central goal. There is much fiction, where the protagnoist does not have a goal (e.g. [Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_and_Loathing_in_Las_Vegas)), or where conflict is not opposed to the protagonist's goal and does not have to be overcome (e.g. much of documentary fiction).

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