Sigmund Freud’s thesis in Family Romance is that certain children fantasize about being children of an aristocrat.  They tend to replace their real parents with an imaginary royal pair or with anyone who is higher in social standing.  In On Sexuality, Freud writes “[the child is merely] turning away from the father whom he knows today to the father in whom he believed in the earliest years of his childhood.”  Freud’s theory about this psychological complex can be seen in William Faulkner’s Barn Burning.  In Faulkner’s short story, the author illustrates Freud’s understanding of family, conflict, and maturation.

The main character, Satoris, has different moral values with his family, namely his father Abner Snopes. While Snopes perversely declares that one must be loyal to his or her family, no matter the circumstances.  Satoris is beset with this conflict.  He wants to obey the law but at the same time wants to please his father and family.  Ultimately, Satoris wishes for a father who follows through moral values; he desires for Snopes to be honest and not to resort to malice and violence.

In the end, Satoris rejects his father’s idea of family loyalty.  When Snopes obstinately plans to burn down a barn, Satoris rushes to tell the owner which leads to Snopes’ death.  This is Satoris’ maturation: that he becomes free from his father’s perverse belief, goes against his father, and conforms to his own morality.