In Faulkner's story Barn Burning, the son has a difficult decision to make. The father Abner Snopes, has been accused of burning down a barn which he is brought to trial for. His son is Sarty and he loves his father but knows that he has been doing these terrible things to others. His father always says that you should stick with your family no matter what because if you don't have family to rely on, then their will be nobody to help you when you need it. This information sticks in Sarty's mind and he continues to defend his father multiple times. Even though he knows that he shouldn't, he knows that family is important.
As the story continues, Sarty discovers that his father is planning on burning down another barn. After thinking about it, he runs to warn the soon to be victim of the fire with the knowledge that he will be disobeying his fathers belief that you should never go against family. Sarty made a decision based on what he believes and not what his father believes and does what he knows is the right thing to do.
I will agree with Snopes that family is important and they should try to protect each other, but there is a certain line that shouldn't be crossed. If there is an extreme case like the one in this story where people could get hurt, then something has to be done. What are your thoughts about this issue?
The story segments the line of morality and loyalty to assess the inner struggle people make between virtue and family. I live according to the idea of humanitarianism, so I cannot endorse the burning of the barn. However, I can see his reasoning of perceivable malice after being made to feel inferior after so long.
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