"Barn Burning" Analysis
Mike Fiato
10/25/13
English 102
“Barn Burning” Analysis In William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning,” the protagonist Sarty, the son of Abner Snopes, witnesses his father’s negligence in taking care of his family. Abner Snopes continues to cause trouble and disrespects authority in different areas of a specific southern county, thus leading to his eventual death because of his failure to adhere to certain standards of society. The conflict that arises involves Abner Snopes being accused of being a “barn burner”, which he denies, while involving his innocent family in the criminal acts he carries out. Sarty is best described as Abner’s opposite in the story as he objects to his father’s actions but has no power in stopping him, creating a scenario of right versus wrong which the story resolves in Sarty’s favor. To begin, Sarty realizes early on that his father controls his family, but also is the reason why they always have to move from place to place because of the way he deals with his problems. The story begins with Abner and young Sarty in a Justice of the Peace’s court, where Abner is accused of burning down a barn of a local farmer. Sarty is asked to speak a few words and explain what happened, but is taken off the stand for his youth and the fact that it would be legally irresponsible to allow such a young kid to decide the fate of an adult. Sarty, however, mature beyond his years, realizes that he must lie to save his father and is saved from lying by the judge’s decision. He understands that his father is guilty of a crime but cannot do anything about it considering this is the man who provides for his family. This example demonstrates the early struggle Sarty faces with his father and sets the stage for the troubles faced later in the story. Fortunately, fate steps in and takes this opportunity away from young Sarty, leaving him in his father’s authority. The hearing ends with Abner Snopes being told by the judge to “leave this country and don’t
10/25/13
English 102
“Barn Burning” Analysis In William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning,” the protagonist Sarty, the son of Abner Snopes, witnesses his father’s negligence in taking care of his family. Abner Snopes continues to cause trouble and disrespects authority in different areas of a specific southern county, thus leading to his eventual death because of his failure to adhere to certain standards of society. The conflict that arises involves Abner Snopes being accused of being a “barn burner”, which he denies, while involving his innocent family in the criminal acts he carries out. Sarty is best described as Abner’s opposite in the story as he objects to his father’s actions but has no power in stopping him, creating a scenario of right versus wrong which the story resolves in Sarty’s favor. To begin, Sarty realizes early on that his father controls his family, but also is the reason why they always have to move from place to place because of the way he deals with his problems. The story begins with Abner and young Sarty in a Justice of the Peace’s court, where Abner is accused of burning down a barn of a local farmer. Sarty is asked to speak a few words and explain what happened, but is taken off the stand for his youth and the fact that it would be legally irresponsible to allow such a young kid to decide the fate of an adult. Sarty, however, mature beyond his years, realizes that he must lie to save his father and is saved from lying by the judge’s decision. He understands that his father is guilty of a crime but cannot do anything about it considering this is the man who provides for his family. This example demonstrates the early struggle Sarty faces with his father and sets the stage for the troubles faced later in the story. Fortunately, fate steps in and takes this opportunity away from young Sarty, leaving him in his father’s authority. The hearing ends with Abner Snopes being told by the judge to “leave this country and don’t