I don't know. It could be a character whose actions or motives oppose the protagonist's goals. You'd need to look for clues in the story's plot and character interactions.
Sorry, I have no idea. Maybe it's a character with conflicting interests or a negative influence on the main character's journey. But you'll have to explore the story to discover who it is for sure.
It can vary a lot. Sometimes it's a person with evil intentions, like a thief or a bully. Other times, it could be a natural disaster or a difficult situation that the main character has to overcome.
The antagonist in 'The Necklace' could be seen as Madame Forestier. She loans the necklace to Mathilde, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that leads to Mathilde's hardship.
In 'The Lottery', you could say that the antagonist isn't a specific person but rather the collective mindset and the unthinking continuation of the lottery practice that leads to a tragic outcome.
It could be a particular character whose actions and motives constantly challenge the main character. But sometimes, the antagonist isn't a person but rather a set of difficult situations or opposing ideas.
Well, it might be character Y. Their actions and motivations are in direct conflict with the main character's, making them the antagonist. For example, they try to undermine the protagonist's plans at every turn.
The antagonist in 'Everyday Use' could be seen as Dee. Her attitude and actions create conflict with the other characters.
In some 'alex cross short story' installments, it might be a powerful criminal organization. They often have resources and connections that make them difficult for Alex Cross to take down. They could be involved in illegal activities like drug trafficking or human smuggling and will do whatever it takes to avoid getting caught by Alex Cross.
Once upon a time at Royal Ascot. There was a beautiful horse named Starlight. It was a magnificent day at the races. Starlight's jockey was a kind and determined young man. As they entered the track, the crowd cheered. Starlight ran with grace and speed, his mane flowing in the wind. And at the end of the race, whether he won or not, he became a beloved figure at Royal Ascot, and then he went back to his stable for a well - deserved rest, as the sun set on that exciting day.
Basically, an antagonist is someone or something that stands in the way of the protagonist achieving their goal in a short story. It could be a person with opposing motives, a natural disaster, or any kind of challenge. The presence of an antagonist makes the story more interesting and drives the plot forward.
The stepmother could still be the main antagonist. But instead of just being mean in a traditional way, she might be a powerful witch who is trying to steal Cinderella's natural magic for herself. So she keeps Cinderella down to weaken her magic.