Many Victorian and early twentieth-century novels and stories focus on the conflicts of the mind. Let's identify some of these to help you get started on your assignment.

Think first about psychological thrillers like Henry James's The Turn of the Screw. The governess can be interpreted in many different ways here. Some see her as a true victim of the supernatural along with the children, Miles and Flora. Others, however, claim that she is mentally ill, or at least conflicted in her mind, and actually causes the events of the novella.

You might also consider the character of Sherlock Holmes. While he is not necessarily conflicted in his mind, he certainly uses his mind to such an extent that it becomes almost another character in the stories and novels.

Ambrose Bierce's short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" would be another fine example, for the character Farquhar lives largely in his mind, at least according to some readers' interpretations. Do not forget Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," either, for the narrator's descent into madness is central in this tale.