Internal Conflict in Barn Burning by William Faulkner and...

The works Barn Burning by William Faulkner and The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck at first glance may seem to have no connection, but in spite of different plot they focus on similar ideas. The story Barn Burning by William Faulkner discusses the inner conflict within Sartoris Snopes, a young boy who faced a dilemma. He tries to make a decision of choosing between to lieing in the court under his fathers pressiure who does not want to get into the jail and acting against his father by telling the truth. The main character is influenced by Abner, his father, who tells him, You got to learn to stick to your own blood or you aint going to have any blood to stick to you. ( P 496). I think this quote reflects the main issue of the†¦show more content†¦Sarty still cares for his family in some sense, he still feels love towards his father, even though he understands that what his fathers deeds are wrong and he really had to stop them and cease to be a part of them. The fact that the boy is not able to come back home is not a question of his choice, I think he just canont go back. So, Sartys heart still suffers from some conflict that is not really resolved, even thoug h the situation has really changed. As I have already discussed, at the beginning of the story Sarty feels a strong allegiance to his father, however, finally we learn that his views change radically. The point of culmination is at the end of the story when Sarty has warned Major de Spain of Abners intentions to burn the barn. I think that the main character experiences the burst of emotions, running down de Spains drive and hearing Majors horse galloping behind him. The resolution to the conflict comes when Abner and his elder son are shot. But the real solution happens at night after Abners death, when Sarty is sitting upon the crest of a hill thinking about his actions and future life. Faulkner proves us that it is impossible to sruggle with ones own heart . The moment when Sarty decided to choose morality over the blood pool and warned the de Spains revealed his true character. Though this meant the death of his