Here's a breakdown of the conflict in the story:
1. The Giant's Selfishness: At the beginning of the story, the giant is a selfish and cruel character who builds a high wall around his garden to keep the children out. This action creates the initial conflict, as the giant's selfishness deprives the children of a place to play and enjoy themselves.
2. Children's Reaction: The children's reaction to the giant's actions is also a source of conflict. They initially try to climb the wall to get into the garden, but the giant throws rocks at them, showing his lack of empathy. This conflict highlights the consequences of the giant's selfishness and further emphasizes the children's desire for a place to play.
3. The Boy and the Sparrow: The turning point in the story comes when a little boy finds a hole in the wall and manages to enter the garden. The giant discovers him sleeping under a tree and decides to be kind to him. This act of kindness marks a shift in the giant's character and sets the stage for the resolution of the conflict.
4. Transformation Through Kindness: The little boy's presence and the giant's act of kindness start a chain of positive transformations. The garden blossoms with beautiful flowers and birds, symbolizing the power of love and kindness to bring about positive changes. The giant's heart softens as he realizes the joy and happiness he experiences by sharing his garden with the children.
5. Resolution: The conflict is fully resolved when the giant breaks down the wall and allows the children to play in the garden freely. The giant's transformation from selfishness to generosity leads to the restoration of harmony and happiness for both the children and the giant himself.
In summary, the conflict in The Selfish Giant is primarily driven by the giant's initial selfishness, which denies the children a place to play. The conflict is resolved as the giant undergoes a personal transformation, prompted by an act of kindness from the little boy, and ultimately chooses generosity over selfishness.