Final answer:
The antagonist in a story is the character, group, or force that opposes the protagonist. Without specifics of the story, we can't name the antagonist, but it generally is the source of the central conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the antagonist in a story, we look for the character, group, or force that opposes the protagonist, creating the central conflict of the narrative. The antagonist may not always be a person; it can also be an event, a thing, or a group. Without knowing the specific story in question, we cannot provide a definitive answer to which option (a, b, c, or d) is the antagonist.
The role of the antagonist is crucial as it drives the protagonist to overcome challenges and grow. Therefore, if the story were about an individual, such as Leiningen, struggling against a natural force, such as ants, then the ants would be the antagonist. If the conflict were between Leiningen and his men, then his men would be the antagonists. And if the story revolved around Leiningen's interactions with the District Commissioner, whereby the commissioner posed obstacles or opposition, then the District Commissioner would fulfill the role of the antagonist.