The conflict of the story was that Paul the farmer did not want to get rid if his farm which put his family in danger. His wife (Ellen) argued with him everyday to sell the farm but he never agreed. (Person vs person). The conflict has a tragic resolution, his wife runs away with his son. The son ends up dying, but he does learn his lesson. He ends up realising that “Ellen might be right in what she said” (78). He learns his lesson and makes plans to get the land fertile again. Ellen was worried about her son. That was also resolved because he ended up dying. This story can also be person vs nature. It was Paul vs his natural infertile land. He hoped ever year that there would be rain but it never came. Since it didn't rain, the land was not …show more content…
Firstly, she is determined. She is determined to make her and her families life better by trying to get her husband to sell the farm that is dried out. “Yesterday, and again at breakfast this morning, they had a quarrelled” (Ross 74). This shows us that she is determined to move back to the city so they do not go into poverty and ruin their sons health. Ellen is also afraid. She fears that the dust will make her baby sick “ He cries all the time.” (75). She tells him that he always cries because of the dust. She even fears that “the dust-filled air might contract pneumonia” (73). She fears that Paul might stay and put them in danger. "I'm afraid, Paul," (75) “[…]You will go Paul - say you will. We aren't living here - not really living -" (75). She wants him to go back to the city where he can get a well paying job instead of living in the dust and ruined black fields. Ellen is also quick to making decisions. When Paul had was coming back home from the stables “she was gone when he reached the house” (80). Ellen had just left. She could have waited and lived with her parents for a while. Her father was ready to take her and her family and give them a job at his store. Even if she could not wait, she could still call her parents at that moment instead of just running