(Condensed Milk Short Story)How does the conflict change the protagonist?

In "Condensed Milk," the conflict changes the protagonist by making him mentally stronger.

"Condensed Milk" is a short story by Russian author Varlam Shalamov (1907-1982).We do not know the protagonist's name. We do know he is not a common thief. He describes himself as being one of the political prisoners and, due to that, his life is harder. He is not allowed to buy any food at the commissary. Underfed and exhausted, he is sick with scurvy and feels that even his mind and feelings have gone weak.It is the conflict in the story that will transform that. When he is approached by another prisoner, Shestakov, the protagonist quickly realizes something is wrong. Shestakov is a favorite, he has privileges at the Gulag. When he offers the protagonist a chance to escape the camp with others, the protagonist knows it is a lie and a trap. Thus, he also lies. He tells Shestakov he will go as long as the other brings him some condensed milk to eat.The climax of the story takes place with the protagonist drinking the sweet condensed milk from the two cans Shestakov brings him. Once he is done, he reveals that he is not going to escape with the others, that he has decided to stay. Later, the protagonist finds out he was right all along, and those who tried to run away had really bad fates.He is content with himself, though. Of course, just a couple of cans of condensed milk will not give him much nourishment. But deceiving Shestakov in order to get them, pretending to be fooled only to fool the other, that gives the protagonist the mental nourishment he needs to keep on going. He is stronger now, due to his "worthless act of vengeance".In conclusion, the conflict changes the protagonist by making him mentally and emotionally stronger, by giving him a reason to feel content with himself.

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