This book, 2001, has several main characters, for it travels through time and uses characters to explain how man has evolved and changed over time. Through these characters the reader understands the developement of the humans throughout history and how they advanced mentally and evolved physically. The author lets us get into a specific character for each time epoch, and lets us relive the change that is going on inside their minds and in their bodies. The first character that is introduced is still evolving into a man. Moon-Watcher, the man-ape, goes through countless conflicts while trying to survive and at the same time evolve mentally into human. One of the types of conflicts he goes through can be described as Man vs. Self because he finds himself always trying to figure out new ways to do things as opposed to the things he already knows. He finds it in himself to attempt new things that no other creature on earth has, like using tools and walking upright. Moon-Watcher consistenly challenges himself to discover and to adapt to his surroundings everyday. Another type of conflict that Moon-Watcher faces is Man vs. Nature. In the beginning he finds himself struggling to survive everyday. His only, and most grueling, task of the day is to avoid starvation. Him and his companions travel far to find foods to eat and some die on the way. Throughout the book Moon-Watcher also encounters some animals that pose a threat to his survival. He finds ways to kill these beasts and outlast them.