What distinguishes internal from external conflict? Can you give examples from Al Capone Does My Shirts?

The difference between internal and external conflict is that internal conflict is within the being of the character, whereas external conflict is environmental, meaning it takes place outside the character's own being. An example from the story of internal conflict is Moose's dislike of being on Alcatraz Island. An example of external conflict is Moose's need for time with his parents when they have job and family obligations that take them away from him.

Conflict can be tension, struggle, fighting, contention, battle, or strife. If the conflict is psychological (internal), it is in the mind, emotions, or psyche (soul or spirit) of the character. If the conflict is environmental (external), it is against nature, another person, or any other oppositional, antagonistic force.

The first internal conflict Moose acknowledges is his inner mental and psychological conflict about being on Alcatraz Island. He didn't want to be there. He didn't want to be away form his best friend Pete.

I want to be here like I want poison oak. . . But apparently nobody cares, because now I'm Moose Flanagan, Alcatraz Island Boy [. . . ] "with some swell fellows like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly."

The second internal conflict is inner mental and psychological conflict because Moose's sister's needs clash with his own needs, and her needs have to take precedence. It is clear Moose loves and is devoted to Natalie, but he knows meeting her special needs (i.e., her need to be in Esther P. Marinoff school) prevents his parents from meeting his particular needs for a stable school life with unbroken association with his friends and activities.

An important external conflict that helps drive the plot is that Moose wants time with his parents for himself. When the story opens, he hasn't seen his dad for "three months." On the very day he hopes to make up for some of that lost time, Moose learns his dad has to work, is "leaving now," his mother is also leaving to do shopping, and he has to watch over Natalie to keep her safe.

The first two examples are internal conflict because they are conflicts within Moose's own thoughts and feelings. He wants things he can't have because there are more important things the family needs, and he has a hard time adjusting his disappoint so he doesn't feel let down, angry, or resentful.

"I didn't really mean what I said about it not being fair. . . I didn't. You know I didn't."

The third example is external conflict because it is conflict with two other people—Moose's parents. He wants something from them that they can't give because of their own needs that they have to contend with, such as jobs, Natalie's needs, and the family's needs.

What is an example of a conflict in "Al Capone Does My Shirts", and is it internal or external?

In the story, Moose is charged with taking Natalie with him wherever he goes. While he loves his sister, Moose privately resents this new state of affairs; faced with a responsibility beyond his years, Moose has to reconcile his growing sense of discontentment with his desire to please his parents. This is an example of internal conflict in the novel, where a character (Moose) must struggle with conflicting feelings. In this case, Moose's mother has charged Moose with the very adult job of tending to Natalie after school hours.

Not only is Moose responsible for Natalie's safety, but he must also ensure that Natalie is as involved as possible in everything he does. This is a tall order, and things eventually come to a head when Moose finds Natalie sitting with Convict 105. Although Natalie seems happy, Moose is terrified that something could have happened to her while his back was turned. He remembers the warden's initial words when his family first came to Alcatraz: "Some of these convicts haven’t seen a woman in ten or fifteen years. I think you’re old enough to understand what that means..."

This incident with Natalie and convict No. 105 is the catalyst for Moose's emotional conversation with his mother later. In Moose's mind, the responsibility he has is beyond his years and experience. As a rule, he feels resentful and guilty much of the time. In one conversation with his father, Moose asks whether he is responsible for Natalie being the way she is. Distressed at the pressure his son is under, Mr. Flanagan assures Moose that he is in no way responsible for his sister's condition. Yet, Moose knows in his heart that his parents are making Natalie's condition worse by ignoring certain truths about her.

First, Natalie is sixteen, but her parents treat her as if she is ten. Moose's mother especially expects him to play along, so that Natalie will have a chance to attend the prestigious Esther P. Marinoff school. However, as time progresses, Moose finds it more and more difficult to ignore Natalie's emerging maturity. He also finds it increasingly difficult to keep her safe. This is why he often vacillates between guilt, anger, and love.

The internal conflict within Moose is resolved when he comes to the conclusion that he is not wrong for wanting Natalie to be treated as a sixteen-year-old girl (which she is). He tells his mother that all of them have to stop pretending that Natalie is ten. It is only when Moose is able to reconcile his conflicting feelings that he manages to help his mother understand the depth of his love for Natalie and to change her perspective regarding Natalie's care.

An example of a conflict in the story is the external character vs. character conflict between Moose and Natalie’s school.

Moose is a kid with a lot of problems.  His biggest problem is that his family is falling apart.  They have moved to Alcatraz Prison because his father got a job there.  He has an autistic sister named Natalie, and his parents are trying to get her into a special school but she is too old. 

Twelve year old Moose wants nothing more than to protect his sister, and tries all he can to get her into Esther P. Marinoff School.  The fact that the school won’t accept her because of her age is a conflict.  However, Moose finds a way.  He gets the most influential person he knows, Al Capone, to write a letter. 

I would be so grateful if you could help me with this.  Thank you sir, Moose Flanagan.  P.S. I like your mother very much.  (ch 38, p. 210)

The school has a change of heart and decides to start a program for older children, with Natalie accepted.  This ends the conflict, and changes Moose and the reader's opinions of Al Capone.