Final answer:
John's character in "A Meeting in the Dark" advances the plot through conflicts such as man vs. man, man vs. society, and man vs. himself, but not through man vs. nature. These conflicts express the story's underlying themes and demonstrate how personal and societal challenges shape the narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
John's character in "A Meeting in the Dark" propels the story's action and elucidates the theme through a variety of conflicts. However, one type of conflict does not contribute to the advancement of the plot or communication of the theme, which is man vs. nature. The conflicts that are present in the narrative and contribute to the development of the storyline include man vs. man, man vs. society, and man vs. himself. This trio of conflicts drives John's internal struggle and his interaction with others, influencing how the theme of the story is perceived by the reader.
The notion that conflict drives a narrative is supported by the description of the Mark Twain excerpt, which highlights how personal anxieties and external pressures, culminating in a man vs. self conflict, shape the theme. Similarly, the broader idea that theme of the story is the underlying message, which is expressed through the main character's challenges, is also relevant. Whether these challenges are internal, external, or societal, they contribute to the central conflict that is at the heart of any narrative, whether in a novel or a short story.