Lindsey Jackson
Shannon Clowney
Composition II - Second Major Essay
9 November 2014
William Faulkner
Small in stature but known as a giant in the American literature realm, William Faulkner was born on September 25, 1897 (olemiss.edu). Not only did his works help him to win the Nobel Prize, they impacted the literary culture in significant ways; this impact is still felt some fifty years after his death on July 6, 1962. In his stories, Faulkner's southern roots are very noticeable. Other commonalities in his works include social issues, educational issues, the underlying issue of deciphering what is socially and morally right and wrong, pride issues and oppression of the main characters in some way or another by those around them. Faulkner finds ways to tackle these issues in his writings, as to somehow bring justice to himself for all of the injustices that have been done to him throughout his life.
At some time in our life, all of us are faced with decisions that are difficult to make. William Faulkner was no exception to this rule. In "Barn Burning," for example, Faulkner establishes the character of Sarty, who must choose to do the right thing. Sarty's father is a known arsonist in his family. Sarty, having realized the harm that his father is causing and will continue to cause, chooses to do the morally right thing when he turns on his father and tells De Spain that his father is setting fire to his barn. "Barn!" he cried. "Barn!" (Faulkner 10). Determining to do the right thing has always been an issue that everyone has faced. Living in the south, where blood runs thicker than water, so to speak, this issue is even more prelevant. Southerner's take pride in boasting this stand on family. They also...