Barn Burning: The Struggle with Moral Awareness

Barn Burning: The Struggle with Moral Awareness

It has often been said that young boys either emulate their fathers, or the strong male figure involved in their upbringing. Some boys become exactly what their fathers have scripted them to be while others develop their own sense of identity and the capability to discern between right and wrong. William Faulkner’s Barn Burning is a portrayal of a young boy’s conflict between either being loyal to blood or doing what he inherently believes is right.

Sarty’s moral dilemma is brought to light, early in the story, in a makeshift courtroom where his father, Abner Snopes, is being accused of burning down Mr. Harris’ barn. Sarty refers to this situation, as the “pull of blood” (85) as he has to sit and defend his father’s actions. This implies that he is aware that his father’s actions are morally wrong, but feels an obligation to support him because he is family. His predicament is compounded when he is called to testify. Sensing that his father expects him to remain loyal to blood despite his crimes, he nervously walks by his father thinking “he aims for me to lie, […] And I will have to do hit” (86). Sarty’s