In William Faulkner's short story, “Barn Burning”, a possible theme that could be interpreted is how strong loyalty can be towards one's family, regardless of details of the situation. dynamics, but also the moral dilemma of how much to underline this loyalty should be maintained. The tale is full of literary devices and lessons that teach the reader a variety of lessons and themes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay William Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi, in 1897. He was an American poet and novelist, as well as a railroad financier, politician, soldier, farmer, businessman, and lawyer throughout his life. As a young man, unsurprisingly, Faulkner loved reading and writing, as well as drawing. However, he never graduated from high school, despite being very intelligent. Supposedly school bored him too much. In 1918 he joined the British Royal Flying Corps and trained as a pilot in the 1st Royal Canadian Air Force after moving to New Haven, Connecticut to live with his friend: Phil Stone. Faulkner trained at Canadian and British bases, and shortly before the end of the war he finished his service in Toronto, never seeing combat, although he was known for distorting truths and embellishing stories of dramatic deeds and battles. Faulkner was an accomplished writer, eventually winning a Nobel Peace Prize. He died on July 6, 1962 of a heart attack. Faulkner establishes the theme of justice and loyalty in the first scene where Abner Snopes is tried in a makeshift court set up in a merchandise store. The trial is largely inept and the jury can hardly be seen to have punished Snopes by forcing him to leave town and freeing himself without going to prison. In this scene, Sarty's apparent display of loyalty is revealed when he refuses to testify against his father despite being called to testify in court. However, inwardly, Sarty must consciously correct himself that the plaintiff is not only his father's enemy, but also Sarty's. This conscious reminder he must give himself seems to allude to the moral stress Sarty faces when supporting his father despite the wrongs he has committed. After leaving the classroom, he attacks a boy half his size who calls Snopes a barn burner, which also shows how Sarty outwardly shows his support for his father. Over the course of the story a pattern is established. He continues to try to defend, through his words and his actions, his father to whom he knows he owes his life and with whom he shares a bond. But while the pull of family bonds is strong, Sarty is old enough to have begun to realize that what his father is doing is wrong. The struggle continues throughout the story as Sarty continues to outwardly defend his father while inwardly his doubts grow stronger. Social inequality also fuels the central conflict in "Barn Burning" as the root of the problems. Abner Snopes, Sarty's father, is a poor itinerant worker with a family to feed and resents anyone of a higher social status. His habit of burning down the barn seems to stem from frustration and wounded pride. He is quick to take offense and lashes out forcefully when he feels offended. He acts without regard to how Sarty might feel, automatically expecting Sarty's unquestionable support and loyalty, even if it means that Sarty, who is a very young boy, has to lie to authority figures. In the story, Sarty describes his own internal conflict as being pulled in two directions.