"An Astrologer's Day" by: R.K. Narayan is a short story filled with elements of a novel. One of these elements is conflict. Conflict is the problems that characters face throughout a story that keeps the plot moving. The two kinds of conflict, internal and external, are found throughout this story as well as the character's resolution to the conflict. The conflicts of "An Astrologer Day" allow us to go deep inside the characters and relate to how they feel and the problems they face.
             One of the first conflicts in this story involves the main character, the Astrologer. "He had a working analysis of mankind's troubles: marriage, money, and the tangles of human ties." The Astrologer is having marital problems because he doesn't bring any money home. People think he is a fake and therefore don't partake in his study and in attending his tent. He also has problems with the neighboring vendors. This is an example of external conflict against society and its struggles. The Astrologer finally has a chance to resolve this conflict when Guru Nayak trusts him enough to pay for a reading. After giving the reading, the Astrologer goes home with the money and his wife overjoyed says "I can buy some jaggery and coconut tomorrow...now I will prepare some nice stuff." At this point, the Astrologer's trouble has been somewhat comforted.
             Another conflict involves Guru Nayak, the other main character in this story. "When shall I get at him?" Nayak says about the foe who tried to kill him. Nayak wants to find out who attacked him and get revenge against the person. This is an external conflict although sometimes when the emotions get to him, it might turn internal. This conflict is resolved when the Astrologer says, "He died four months ago in a far-off town. You will never see any more of him." Nayak wasn't in high spirits when he learned of this because ...