Final answer:
The conflict in 'The Monkey's Paw' centers on Mr. and Mrs. White's disagreement about using the monkey's paw to make wishes, which leads to tragic consequences. Option 2 best describes the conflict in this story. The conflict in the story The Monkey's Paw is best described by option 2: Mr. and Mrs. White disagree on whether or not they should wish on the monkey's paw.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central conflict is driven by the supernatural element of the monkey's paw, which is said to grant three wishes but comes with a grave cost. The moral dilemma and the consequences of meddling with fate are at the heart of this tension. Mr. White is curious and somewhat compelled by the possibility of the paw granting his wishes, despite the warnings given by the sergeant-major who brings the paw into their lives. Mrs. White, on the other hand, becomes more desperate to use the paw after an initial tragedy strikes the family, leading to further calamity.
Throughout the narrative, the conflict explores themes of greed, responsibility, and the unintended consequences of trying to control one's destiny. This is a story conflict that invites readers to ponder the dangers of wish fulfillment when it is separated from effort and the natural order of life. The Whites' differing views on using the paw create a rift in their relationship and bring about the story's tragic events, highlighting how desires, when influenced by external and mystical forces, can lead to dire outcomes.