In the short story “Ashes for the wind”, a highly controversial conflict is seen arising. The inquiry of whether Juan Martinez' unyielding decision to remain, owner of his property, makes him foolish or heroic is an interesting debate. While both arguments could present adequate reasoning for their judgment, the argument that is most logical in reasoning would be that Martinez' actions were those of a fool. While neither of Martinez choices had positive or ideal outcomes, it was clear that the decision he made had far worse results than the alternative. By choosing to remain on his land and allow for his house to burn with himself and his family inside, he foolishly put the value of his land over that of his family’s lives and even killed an
