What is an antagonist in a short story?

An antagonist in a short story is a character or force that opposes the main character and creates conflict. They make the story more interesting by presenting obstacles for the protagonist to overcome.

The antagonist is the character or force that opposes the protagonist and creates conflicts and obstacles for them.

It can vary a lot. Sometimes it's a person with evil intentions, like a thief or a bully. Other times, it could be a natural disaster or a difficult situation that the main character has to overcome.

You can usually spot the antagonist by looking at who opposes the main character's goals or causes problems for them throughout the story.

In many cases, having an antagonist can add tension and conflict to a short story, but it's not a strict requirement. Some short stories might revolve around internal struggles or challenges rather than an external opposing force.

The antagonist in 'The Necklace' could be seen as Madame Forestier. She loans the necklace to Mathilde, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that leads to Mathilde's hardship.

In 'The Lottery', you could say that the antagonist isn't a specific person but rather the collective mindset and the unthinking continuation of the lottery practice that leads to a tragic outcome.

I don't know. It could be a character whose actions or motives oppose the protagonist's goals. You'd need to look for clues in the story's plot and character interactions.

It could be a particular character whose actions and motives constantly challenge the main character. But sometimes, the antagonist isn't a person but rather a set of difficult situations or opposing ideas.

Well, it might be character Y. Their actions and motivations are in direct conflict with the main character's, making them the antagonist. For example, they try to undermine the protagonist's plans at every turn.