1. The Conflict Between the "Old" and the "New": The central conflict revolves around the clash between the "Old" (those who have not had the "Pretty" surgery) and the "New" (those who have). The "New" are perceived as beautiful, happy, and carefree, while the "Old" are seen as unattractive, moody, and prone to violence. This leads to societal and personal divisions, with the "Old" struggling to adapt to the changing world and the "New" facing challenges of their own.
2. The Internal Conflict of the Characters: Many characters struggle with internal conflict.
* Tally Youngblood: Tally struggles with her desire to be Pretty and fit in with her peers, battling against her conscience and the knowledge that the surgery is not as harmless as it seems.
* David: David struggles with his desire to protect Tally from the dangers of the "New" world, even if it means defying his friends and risking his own safety.
* Shay: Shay is determined to fight against the "Pretty" surgery, but she faces constant danger from the authorities and the "New" society.
3. The Conflict Between the "Pretty" World and the "Ugly" World: The book portrays a world divided into the "Pretty" world, where people have undergone the surgery, and the "Ugly" world, where people have not. This division creates tension and conflict as the "Pretty" world seeks to control and manipulate the "Ugly" world.
4. The Conflict of Morality: The novel challenges the reader to consider what constitutes true beauty and the morality of altering one's appearance for societal acceptance. The "Pretty" surgery raises questions about body image, consumerism, and the dangers of technology.
5. The Conflict Between Individuality and Conformity: The "Pretty" surgery forces individuals to conform to a standardized image, undermining individuality and encouraging obedience. Characters like Tally and David grapple with the consequences of this conformity and the importance of resisting societal pressures.
The conflict in "Pretties" is not just a simple battle between good and evil; it's a complex and nuanced exploration of themes like identity, beauty, technology, and the nature of society. It challenges readers to consider their own values and how they would navigate such a world.