The Main Conflicts:
* The Alien Invasion: The carnivorous aliens are a direct threat, consuming humans and animals for their own survival. They are the immediate problem that needs to be solved.
* The Moral Dilemma: The humans are caught in a moral dilemma. They know they must fight back, but the aliens' tactics are brutal, forcing them to confront the darker aspects of humanity to survive.
* The Struggle for Power: There's tension between the government and the individual characters, particularly the protagonist, Fred, who is trying to understand the aliens and find a solution.
How the Conflicts Are Solved:
* The Alien Invasion: The aliens are ultimately defeated by exploiting their weaknesses. They are susceptible to certain chemicals and the environment. The story doesn't detail a grand battle, but focuses on the slow, methodical efforts of Fred and his allies to outsmart and destroy the aliens.
* The Moral Dilemma: The story doesn't offer a clear answer. It shows how the humans are forced to use brutal tactics to survive, questioning the morality of their actions. However, it ultimately suggests that survival is paramount, even if it means sacrificing some moral principles.
* The Struggle for Power: Fred's independent actions and knowledge challenge the government's authority. He ultimately wins a degree of respect, but the story doesn't explicitly show a shift in power structure.
Important Considerations:
* The ending is ambiguous. It leaves room for interpretation about whether humanity has truly won or if the alien threat is truly gone.
* The story focuses on the psychological and emotional impact of the alien invasion rather than a clean-cut victory.
* The "solution" isn't about defeating the aliens in a traditional sense, but more about adapting and surviving in the face of a new threat.
In Conclusion:
Carnivorous Carnival doesn't provide a straightforward solution to the problem. Instead, it offers a bleak look at human resilience, moral ambiguity, and the complexities of facing an existential threat. The story explores the consequences of the invasion rather than celebrating a definitive victory.