The conflict between family tradition and truth and justice consumes Sarty Snopes, an adolescent boy in William Faulkner's "Barn Burning." He must reconcile his innate sense of justice and his loyalty to his father while driven to an act with consequences that alter his life. The all consuming fear of becoming like his father and being thrown into family tradition is manifested by grief and despair. "... the old fierce pull of blood." For example, the internal conflict is strongly shown in the opening paragraph where he is called into court to testify against his father. He tells himself that they (society) are "ourn" enemy. Hopelessness consumes him as the realization that he must lie becomes apparent. After all he is his father and society is the enemy. "And I will have to do hit."
             Sarty's family is of no use, and provide little, if any, sanctuary for the antagonism between him and his father. His narrow minded sisters are lethargic, uncaring and oblivious to their surroundings. The brother is a puppet whose strings are pulled at will by their father. The aunt rarely speaks, and the mother is too terrified. She clings to past memories in the broken mother-of-pearl clock that stopped some time ago. The undoing of a happier time, a symbol of a life that no longer exist. As they are transplanted from town to town she is taken farther and farther away from the life her dowry symbolizes. Where does Sarty get the will to question their way of life? He does not even appear to belong or fit in with this family. I believe his morals are inherited from his mother's side, specifically his aunt. "If he don't go ... I am going up there myself!"
             Foreshadowing of Sarty becoming like his father is evidenced by the lack of respect for his mother. "I don't want to have to hit you!" Even though his father continuously tries to acclimate h...