What is the main conflict in “The
Sullican Ballour Love Letter”?
The central conflict in the story “The
Sullivan Ballou Love Letter” is a person vs himself conflict between the
narrator, Sullivan Ballou, and his complicated feelings of responsibility to
both his country and his family. First
off, Sullivan Ballou is torn between wanting to stay with his wife and family
and feeling a duty to fight in the civil war.
In order to protect his country so that it will be safe for his family,
he has to leave his family for a time.
Secondly, although he wants to come home after the war to live with his family,
he seems to feel that he will die in the war.
In other words, he has to leave in order to make his future life safe
and happy, but in doing so, he will likely be unable to enjoy safety and happiness
after the war is over. Thirdly, as an officer
in the army, he has to take on a leadership role; however, in the letter, he talks
about being a father to his children and helping to guide and raise them. On one hand, he needs to be a leader in the army;
on the other hand, he wants to be a role model in his family. Ultimately, Sullivan Ballou is left conflicted
between his desire to be a family man and his duty to be a patriot.
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