Problems of the Human Heart in Conflict

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Problems of the Human Heart in Conflict

William Faulkner’s commitment to depicting “the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself” (245) finds perfect expression in “Barn Burning,” in which Sarty is torn between his growing realization of his father’s depravity and his innate conviction that there is another, better way of being in the world.

The story main theme addresses the issue of conflict of the human heart with itself. The writer uses the character of Sartois Snopes to expose this dilemma. From the start of the story, the writer describes the dilemma the young boy is involved. The boy is torn between family loyalty, fear, selfish interest, and the natural persuasion for fair play, need to protect others and universal justice. Sartois dilemma begins in the court were he is supposed to decide whether to lie and save his father or speak the truth let him face the consequences of his actions. This statement by the judge to Sartois during his fathers’ trial “I reckon anybody named for Colonel Sartois in this country can’t help but tell the truth, can they?” (40) led to Sartois ‘betraying’ his father. From here henceforth, we continue to understand the boys’ moral dilemma on at what point should family loyalty supersede the natural law of fair play. At the end of the story, the boy meets his final moral dilemma where he has to make the ultimate decision. He is torn between whether to tell De Spains of his fathers planned attack on the bans, or stay idle at home. He breaks free from his mother’s arms symbolizing the breaking of family blood. From this point, he “curses the old blood he had no ability to choose for himself” did what he thought was the right thing (450). Faulkner uses these two incidences in the story to show that the truth is costly. He further demonstrates life is full of difficult situations where right and wrong depends upon who is judging us. Nevertheless, we should stand our ground and proclaim the truth at any cost.

The Faulkner’s story seeks to show how individuals should have innate conviction to be morally upright and seek a better way of living. He uses the character of Sartois to show that despite how we were raised, what we are told or what society expects of us we can still raise from this background and stand up to evils of the world. The story begins in a court setting were Sartois was to testify against his father in a court. His father was being accused of burning a burn a ban. From his observation, he knew that, “his father’s enemy is his enemy” (6). In addition, he knew that his father expected him to lie to protect him but to him lying is wrong. Satyr’s father was very disappointed to learn that he would not defend him but speak the truth. Through Sarty, the narrator questions whether blood defines the circumstances to tell the truth or to lie. His father late reprimands him for not supporting him in court earlier. He tells him “You got to learn to stick to your own blood or you ain’t going to have any blood to stick to you “(205). According to his father, differentiating right and wrong depends on ones family relations. On the other, hand Sarty sees that the arrest of his father will make the society much safer. He sees that the society will be safe from his fathers’ wrath and powerful people like the De Sapins will be safe. “They are safe from him. People whose lives are a part of this peace and dignity are beyond his touch” (560) Sarty is depicted as a beacon of hope and the epitome of morality in the society. In these world and times, our pursuit for the truth should be paramount and we should be ready to pay the high price doing things the right way.

WORD COUNT: 590

Works cited

Faulkners W. “Barn Burning” (n.d), (n.p). Web 8 March 2012