I would say that the main conflict in the story is Beauty's mistreatment at the hands of one terrible owner after another. To be fair, Beauty's first couple of owners are wonderful; however, once Squire Gordon is forced to sell Beauty, things turn quite terrible for Beauty. He is mistreated and abused to the point that injury and sickness are the status quo.
Beauty has a momentary respite once Jerry takes ownership of him, but that does not last long. Beauty finds himself once again being worked to near death at the hands of horrible owners, and the weaker he gets, the worse that he is treated.
The resolution begins to come about once Beauty is examined by a farrier. The man says that Beauty is overworked and might actually sell for a decent price if he is allowed decent food and a few days rest. This ends up happening,...
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and Beauty is sold to an old farmer and his grandson. The two characters are wonderful owners and make an effort to rehabilitate Beauty back to the horse that he should be. Their plan is to sell him to a family that will take good care of him. That happens, and Beauty is sold to owners that recognize Beauty as one of Squire Gordon's former prized horses. The story ends with readers knowing that Beauty is back with good horse owners for a long time.
What is the resolution in Black Beauty?
In the novel that did more for ending cruelties to horses than any other publication, Black Beauty is sold to a corn dealer after Jerry the cab driver becomes ill, but the dark stables harm his eyes, so he is sold to another cab driver who allows his horses be overworked. One day Beauty collapses from having to pull a loaded cab. He comes close to being destroyed, but a farrier realizes that Beauty's lungs are yet good. So, Beauty is sent to an auction where Farmer Thoroughgood buys him because his compassionate grandson and he believe that they can rehabilitate the horse. Finally, Beauty gains weight and strength and he is sold to Ellen and Lavinia Blomefield. Still working for the Blomfields is Joe Green, who recognizes the once magnificent animal. With the loving care of Joe, Black Beauty lies out his long life in green pastures.
What is the resolution of Black Beauty?
Before identifying the ending, it is important to recognize the conflict featured in Anna Sewell's 1877 novel, Black Beauty.
First, the book is the unique for being narrated in the first person by the horse, Beauty. The novel begins with a young Beauty who learns the ropes of being a horse from his mother and alongside other colts. When he comes of age, he is purchased by Squire Gordon. He makes friends with others of Squire Gordon's animals, leading an overall happy existence.
Unfortunately, when Squire Gordon must sell Beauty to leave the countryside, Beauty's existence becomes less pleasant and more changeable. He is hurt when he is ridden by a drunk driver. After the accident, Beauty must become a stable horse rather than a carriage one. Thereafter, Beauty has several different owners and is alternately neglected, starved, and then nursed to recovery.
The resolution occurs when Beauty finds his final home with one Joe Green. Green sees Beauty for sale as a groom for three mistresses looking to buy a horse. This Joe Green had in fact been trained under John Manly, who was a groom for Beauty's original owner, Squire Gordon. Because of Green's recollection of Beauty in his adolescence, he recommends that his mistresses purchase Beauty, and the reader is left to assume that Beauty is treated well by these owners thereafter.