Compare and Contrast the theme of Good verse Evil in the two short Essay

Compare and Contrast the theme of Good verse Evil in the two short stories Barn Burning by William Faulkner and good Old Country People by Flannery O'Connor - Essay Example In both these stories, there is a struggle between good and evil but the outcome of the struggles differ from one another. The story Barn Burning is about the youngest son, Sartoris Snopess struggle of trying to do what is right for his family, against the wishes of his own father, Abner Snopes during the post Civil War period. Sartoris or Sartys wish to keep his family together is tested in the beginning of the story itself. When his father Abner was charged for arson, he knows that his father is wrong. But, Abner by constantly reminding him 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 descri bes his father as: "There was something about his wolf-like independence" (Faulkner). So, the whole family including Sarty and his sisters dislike him. The main theme of Barn Burning is Sartys desire to stand by good and fight the evil which is represented by his wicked father. That is, when his father was bent on burning down Major de Spains barn, Sarty reveals to him about his fathers intentions, thereby leading to his fathers death and victory of good over evil. The theme of good verse evil is depicted in the story through Sarty’s struggle between loyalty for his family and morality. Similarly, the story Good Country People presents the theme of good verse evil. The protagonist of the story, Hulga is a thirty two year old woman. She had lost one leg in an accident