1. The conflict between man and nature: The protagonist of the novel, a sharecropper named Nathan Lee Morgan, is constantly struggling to survive in a harsh and unforgiving natural environment. He must contend with scorching heat, torrential rains, and wild animals in order to provide for his family.
2. The conflict between man and society: Nathan and his family also face discrimination and racism from the white landowners and community in which they live. They are denied basic rights and opportunities, and Nathan is eventually arrested and imprisoned on a trumped-up charge. This conflict highlights the systemic injustices that African Americans faced during the Jim Crow era.