Internal Conflict in "Barn Burning" by William Faulkner and "The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck

Essay by anacondaUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, November 2004

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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 father's 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 ain't going to have any blood to stick to you." ( P 496). I think this quote reflects the main issue of the story, which is about blood ties. And we clearly see how Sarty is affected by these blood ties.

Faulkner depicts the inner conflict and dilemma that the main character faces.

We start to understand the moral dilemma of the main character from the beginning of the story. I think Faulkner make us think about the question: at what point should a person make a choice between what his parents and or family believes and his own values? The situation in which Sarty's conflict is developeded is a trial. In this trial Sarty is asked, " I reckon any boy named for Colonel Sartoris in this country can't help but tell the truth, can they?" ( P 154). The young boy, Sarty, somewhere deep in his heart has a feeling that he wants to act in a right way, but as he is oly 10 years old, I think it is hard for him to make firm decisions. His feelings and thoughts are influnced...