What is the conflict in Chapter 2 of Old Yeller?

The problem in Chapter 2 is the arrival of Old Yeller. The big, ugly dog appears to be a stray, and makes his presence known by stealing the side of middling meat hanging from the rafters in the dog run. The side of meat is all that remains from last winter's hog butchering, and Travis, who discovers the theft and the culprit, is furious. To make matters worse, the dog doesn't even have the decency to act ashamed; he simply rises to his feet upon seeing Travis, and comes "romping toward (him), wiggling that stub tail and yelling Yow! Yow! Yow! Just like he belong(s) there."

Things go from bad to worse, as, while an enraged Travis is shouting and kicking at Old Yeller, Little Arliss comes running out and grabs the dog. Angry at his brother for trying to hurt the animal, Arliss picks up a battling stick and goes after Travis, trying to protect the dog which he has declared to be his own. To Travis' further consternation, Mama sides with Arliss, telling Travis that Little Arliss should be able to keep Old Yeller. She argues that Travis had had a dog when he was little, and that Arliss, who has never had one, gets lonely because he has no one to play with. Travis reluctantly complies with Mama's wishes, but determines to find a way to get rid of the dog in the coming days. Unfortunately, it does not look like Mama is about to let that happen. It seems that Old Yeller is there to stay, whether Travis likes it or not (Chapter 2).

What is the main conflict in "Old Yeller"?

There is not just one conflict in the novel. Several events, or conflicts, occur to help carry the story along. If you want to put it in a nutshell, you might say the conflict is the hardship of life in 19th century Texas.

The overriding conflict is that the father is away on a cattle drive, leaving his wife and young sons to fend for themselves. Having to be the "man of the house" puts Travis into conflict with his little brother, Arliss, who wants to play and doesn't recognize Travis as an authority figure. Arliss creates another conflict when he finds the "old yeller dog" and begs to keep him. Travis is set against keeping the dog, but eventually he begins to grow attached to the dog as well. And that attachment creates another conflict when Yeller is infected with rabies.

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What is the main conflict in "Old Yeller"?

Fred Gipson's Old Yeller is full of conflicts, so the answer to this question could vary significantly depending on the reader and how specific one might want to get. The most evident conflict, however, is the conflict between man and nature. 

Travis has been left in charge of his family while his father is away; he and his mother and younger brother “will be left in a wild frontier settlement to make out the best they [can].” Many things happen to make Travis's life difficult; among them is the arrival of a troublesome stray named Old Yeller. 

Travis has countless struggles throughout the novel, and most of them involve his surroundings and the animals, both wild and tame, which he encounters. All of these constitute a conflict with nature. Time after time, Travis is confronted with life-and-death decisions, and all of them involve nature in some form. For that reason, the primary conflict in this novel is between man and nature in its various forms.

Who is the antagonist in Old Yeller by Fred Gipson?

Clearly Travis Coates is the protagonist in Fred Gipson's novel Old Yeller. He is a fourteen-year-old boy who has been left in charge of the farm and his family (mother and little brother) while his father is away. Travis faces many challenges while he is acting as man of the house, and nearly all of them come from elements in nature. Because Travis (the protagonist) is in constant conflict with nature, nature must be considered the antagonist.

It is true that Old Yeller, a stray dog with an affinity for trouble, is often a source of grief for Travis. The dog not only does damage on the farm, but he is also a marauder, stealing from neighboring farms, as well. At times, however, the dog acts with Travis to save his family's life. Because he is not a relatively consistent opponent, though, Old Yeller cannot be the sole antagonist of the story. 

Both wild animals and farm animals (certainly considered as part of nature) are in conflict with Travis often in this story. Dogs, bears, and more attack Travis and his family. Add to this the hydrophobia (a disease caused by nature), and even the Coates's own animals turn against him.

When his father returns and learns of everything that Travis endured while he was away, his father says:

"That was rough," he said. "That was as rough a thing as I ever heard tell of happening to a boy. And I'm mighty proud to learn how my boy stood up to it. You couldn't ask any more of a grown man."

Rather than any one person (though a possible case could be made for Mr. Searcy), it is the forces of nature which are constantly bombarding the young boy who is just trying to keep his farm running and his family safe. Nature is the antagonist.