External and Internal Conflict

"...Bernard and, urged by a sudden impulse, ran foward to help them; then thought better of it and halted; then, ashamed, stepped foward again; then again thought better of it, and was standing in an agony of humiliated indecision..." (pg 214).  This was the time when Bernard was being indecisive on if he should be a good friend or not.  John was being attacked because he was telling the people to not take the soma for their own freedom.  Helmholtz was a good friend and went to defend John, even though he knew he was risking his life.  This is an example of an external conflict because John was against the whole society.  However, there was also an example of internal conflict.  Bernard was having a conflict within himself.  He could not decide if he should help John or if he should not do anything due to his fear of being killed.  Bernard was also hesitant due to his fear of what people thought of them.  He wanted to be associated with John when John was considered "famous."  However, when John is disliked or looked down upon, Bernard does not want much to do with him.