Read the passage from “To Build a Fire.” This passage illustrates _____.

From “To Build a Fire”

And then it happened. At a place where there were no signs, where the soft, unbroken snow seemed to advertise solidity beneath, the man broke through. It was not deep. He wetted himself half-way to the knees before he floundered out to the firm crust.

He was angry, and cursed his luck aloud. He had hoped to get into camp with the boys at six o’clock, and this would delay him an hour, for he would have to build a fire and dry out his foot-gear.

Conflict in a story or plot happens when there are contrasting issues pressing against each other. This leads to a dilemma in the character, with his interests clashing with one another.

The given passage presents a conflict in the character for he had to change his plans. His original plan was to reach the camp by 6 o'clock but with the recent activity of him plunging into the ice-cold water. He knows he has to get to the camp as soon as possible but he also knows he has to take care of his wet clothes so as not to freeze himself to death. So, he is presented with two choices, either to move on or to delay his journey and first dry himself with fire.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.