In most cases, a story needs conflict. Without it, there's no growth for the characters, no obstacles to overcome, and no reason for the reader to keep turning the pages. Conflict is what makes a story engaging and meaningful.
No way. A story without conflict would be pretty boring and lack any kind of tension or progression.
Yes, it can. Some stories are told through the actions and dialogues of the characters alone, without a specific narrator guiding the reader/viewer.
I don't think a story can truly exist without a plot. A plot is what makes a story coherent and engaging. Without it, it's hard to have a meaningful and satisfying story experience.
Yes, it can. Some stories focus more on concepts, settings, or events rather than specific characters.
Sure it can. Some experimental or avant-garde stories might focus more on a concept or a group rather than a single protagonist.
Yes, it's possible. Some characters in literature or real life might not have a detailed back story presented, but they can still have an impact or play a role.
I don't think so. A person's back story is what makes them unique. It includes all the things they've been through, like their education, first love, first job. All these elements are part of their back story, and without it, a person would be like an empty shell. Everyone has a story to tell, whether they choose to share it or not.
Definitely. A short story might feature a protagonist who is in a conflict with nature (person vs. nature), say a hiker lost in a storm. At the same time, this hiker might be having a person vs. self conflict, thinking about past mistakes that led them to this situation. And there could also be an element of person vs. person conflict if they meet another unhelpful or even hostile hiker in the wilderness. All these types of conflict can be part of the same short story.
No, comic fiction typically tells a story. It's the narrative that makes it engaging and interesting for the readers.