Short Answer 
The main conflict in the novel centers around the struggle between animals and humans, highlighting themes of oppression and mistreatment. The animals, living in miserable conditions and feeling exploited by humans, are poised to rebel against their oppressors as a response to their grievances, driving the narrative forward.
Step 1: Understanding Conflict
The term conflict refers to a struggle or clash of interests that often leads to prolonged disagreements or arguments. In literature, this conflict can portray opposing forces that create tension within the story. In the context of the novel, the main conflict revolves around the struggles between animals and humans, setting the stage for significant themes and events in the narrative.
Step 2: Evidence from the Text
Several pivotal ideas in the text support the prediction of conflict between the animals and humans. These include:
- The animals express their experiences of living in miserable conditions under human oversight.
- They assert that humans steal their labor, causing them distress and deprivation.
- The animals identify humans as their enemy, believing their struggles stem from human oppression.
- They articulate that hunger and overwork will cease if humans are eliminated from their lives.
Step 3: The Animals’ Rebellion
As a result of the mounting grievances, the animals seem poised to rebel against their human owners. This potential uprising serves as the crux of the main conflict within the novel. The animals’ desire for change underscores their collective frustration and desire for a better life, positioning them against the status quo enforced by humans. This rebellion becomes a critical element of the unfolding narrative and drives the plot forward.