•Gillespie vs. Himself: Gillespie had a conflict within himself because he was trying to accept Virgil. Even though he was black, Gillespie tried to accept him, as a person, and as a fellow police officer. "The chief thought of shaking hands with him, but decided not to. He had done it once and that had made the point." (p.184)
•Sam vs. Himself: Sam also had a similar conflict to Gillespie. Sam wanted the crime to be solved but he didn't know if he really wanted it to be, because the person he wanted to solve the crime was a black man, Virgil. "Sam had still not made up his mind. He wanted the crime solved, but he wanted it solved by someone whom he could look up to and respect. The only trouble was he couldn't think who it might be." (p.60)
•Virgil vs. Society: Virgil wants to solve a murder. But the town, especially Sam and Gillespie at the beginning of the novel, were very racist and cruel to Virgil. It must have hurt his feelings, but he didn't show it. "Who in hell asked you to open your big black mouth," (p.45)
•Sam vs. Himself: Sam also had a similar conflict to Gillespie. Sam wanted the crime to be solved but he didn't know if he really wanted it to be, because the person he wanted to solve the crime was a black man, Virgil. "Sam had still not made up his mind. He wanted the crime solved, but he wanted it solved by someone whom he could look up to and respect. The only trouble was he couldn't think who it might be." (p.60)
•Virgil vs. Society: Virgil wants to solve a murder. But the town, especially Sam and Gillespie at the beginning of the novel, were very racist and cruel to Virgil. It must have hurt his feelings, but he didn't show it. "Who in hell asked you to open your big black mouth," (p.45)