Here's a breakdown:
* The Ghost's Objective: The ghost wants to be acknowledged, to be taken seriously, and to have his existence recognized by the living. He wants to reclaim his rightful place in the house and perhaps even in the world.
* The Wife's Objective: The old wife is determined to maintain control and preserve the order of her life. She doesn't want to be disturbed by the ghost, and she's determined to keep him in his place, which is essentially non-existent.
* The Conflict: This creates a tense power struggle. The ghost tries to intimidate the wife, but she refuses to be frightened. He tries to reason with her, but she dismisses his claims. She even manipulates him by denying him recognition, making him invisible and powerless.
Ultimately, the poem explores themes of:
* The power of the human mind: The wife's sheer will and determination to deny the ghost's existence, effectively "kills" him.
* The fragility of reality: The poem suggests that the ghost's existence depends on the wife's acknowledgement. When she refuses, his power diminishes.
* The nature of fear: The poem highlights how fear can be overcome by courage and a strong sense of self.
The conflict doesn't necessarily have a clear winner. However, the wife's refusal to acknowledge the ghost suggests that he is powerless against her will. The poem leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity, questioning the nature of reality and the power of the human mind.