A character-versus-character tension is depicted in “Barbara Frietchie.” Frietchie and the Confederate commander are at odds. She ignores the danger she is in by waving the Union flag in front of the Confederate troops. When the Confederate commander orders the soldiers to fire at the Union flag, she requests that he spare the flag and instead shoot her. The poem often depicts a tension between a character and society. Frietchie believes in individual liberty. Her views are in direct contrast to those of the Confederates, who advocate slavery. Frietchie is proud of her convictions, and she has the courage to stand up for them when confronted by a powerful foe.
ANSWER: When the Confederate soldiers come through town, they remove all of the Union flags. Barbara Frietchie is upset that her flag was removed. She puts her flag back up in the attic window, risking her life to stand up for what she believes.
