- Creating conflict and tension: Hostility can be used to create conflict and tension between characters, which can drive the plot forward and keep readers engaged. For example, in the play "Romeo and Juliet," the hostility between the Montague and Capulet families leads to the tragic deaths of the title characters.
- Developing character: Hostility can be used to develop character by revealing the motivations and inner conflicts of the characters. For example, in the novel "The Catcher in the Rye," the protagonist Holden Caulfield's hostility towards society reflects his own confusion and alienation.
- Providing social commentary: Hostility can be used to provide social commentary on issues such as racism, sexism, and class conflict. For example, in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," the hostility that the protagonist Atticus Finch faces for defending an African-American man on trial highlights the racism that was prevalent in the American South in the 1930s.
- Creating a sense of realism: Hostility can be used to create a sense of realism by reflecting the conflicts and tensions that exist in real life. For example, in the play "Death of a Salesman," the protagonist Willy Loman's hostility towards his son Biff reflects the challenges of being a father and a businessman in a competitive society.
- Eliciting an emotional response from the reader: Hostility can be used to elicit a variety of emotional responses from the reader, such as anger, fear, or sympathy. For example, in the novel "1984," the hostility of the government towards the citizens creates a sense of fear and oppression.
Overall, hostility can be a powerful tool for writers to create conflict, develop character, provide social commentary, create a sense of realism, and elicit an emotional response from the reader.