English Literature

Various sorts of conflicts arise when an individual seeks to free himself from the restrictions imposed on himher by hisher family or society. The characters of Sarty in the story Barn Burning by William Faulkner and Sammy in A  P by John Updike find themselves in conflict with their parents when they seek to free themselves from the bonds of family restrictions. Initially Sammy and Sarty are hesitant to go against the wishes of their families but provoked by particular incidents, they break free from the restrictions of their families and behave in accordance to their morality. Although Sammy and Sarty experience similar kinds of complications while choosing between families and their morality, the manner in which they overcome those obstacles differs from each other.

In the story Barn Burning, Sartoris Snopes or Sarty struggles to do what is just and right for his family, against the wishes of his own father, Abner Snopes. Sartys wish to keep his family together is tested in the beginning of the story itself. When his father Abner is charged for arson, he knows that his father is wrong. But, Abner by constantly reminding Sarty of the importance of family elicits a favorable response from him. He tells Sarty, You got to learn to stick to your own blood or you aint going to have any blood to stick to you. (Faulkner). That is, Abner instills in Sarty that only if an individual is loyal to the family, even if it is right or wrong, he will in turn get familys help in needy times. But, in the course of the story Sarty feels an aversion towards his father because of his wrongs and violent behavior. Abner exhibits violence towards Sarty and also others who questions his authority. Sarty describes his father as There was something about his wolf-like independence (Faulkner). So, the whole family including Sarty and his sisters dislike him. Sarty is torn between his loyalty to his family and his morals. But when his father is bent on burning down Major de Spains barn, Sarty reveals to Major de Spain about his fathers intentions, thereby resolving the conflict between his loyalty to his family and his morality.

Similarly, Sammy in the story A P also desires to break free from the restrictions of his parents and quit his job at the local supermarket. But still he continues with his job, for he knew that his parents would disapprove of his decision to quit his job. As Sammy wants to avoid any conflicting situations with his parents, he represses his desire and continues to lead his life according to his parents wishes. But when Sammy sees that his boss insults the girls who arrived in the shop in their bathing suits, he makes his mind to quit his job in spite of his boss telling him that Sammy, you dont want to do this to your Mom and Dad. (Updike). He speaks in support of the girls and informs his manager about his decision to quit, I said, I quit. (Updike). Under the guise of supporting the girls, Sammy fulfills his own desire of quitting the job. Sammy always harbored the desire to leave his present job and look for some other job where he will get an opportunity to progress in his life but the thought that his actions would hurt his parents prevented Sammy from quitting his job. Initially Sammy hesitates to free himself from the bonds his family but when he gets a chance to quit his job, he utilizes it to gain freedom from the restrictions placed upon him by his family.

Although both Sarty and Sammy succeed in breaking free from the bonds of family restrictions, the manner in which they achieve their aims differs from each other. Sarty garners the courage to go against his father and decides to thwart his fathers intention of burning Major de Spains barn by telling about his fathers plan to Major de Spain. On the other hand, Sammy lacks the courage to achieve his aim of freedom from the bonds of family restrictions. He waits for an opportunity to fulfill his desire whereas Sarty takes a bold decision in time and prevents his father from committing arson again.