Sarty's Barn Burning-Fire In The Third Degree
Fire in the Third Degree Warmth, heat, anger, destruction, rage, devastation, death, cleanser, survival, passion, desire, power, energy, colorful, beautiful, magical, quick-movement, flamboyant, bright. These thoughts or connotations and many others have crept into the minds of many whilst they were gazing at the lively bursts of the fire as it dances. Many feel a sense of safety from the warmth given off by the fire; others only see it as wild and uncontrollable. Although, all of these connotations and many more exist, yet, the main context in which fire is used in “Barn Burning” is as a way to represent Abner’s lack of power through self-expression. The first time that we are introduced to fire in this story is when Abner is on trial
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The boy had so many questions to ask yet knew to keep them to himself; he “wondered why not a big [fire]” (394). The fire that Sarty had been accustomed to seeing his father make for the family was always that of a small, shrewd fire. He tried to imagine what compelled his father, the man who burns down barns at the slightest sign of disrespect, to build such small fires. I feel like this is where we learn the most about Abner and his infatuation with this wild flame because the author boldly and outright tells us. “The element of fire spoke to some deep mainspring of his father’s being” Sarty exclaimed; “the weapon for the preservation of integrity” (394). We, the reader, can clearly see where Abner’s connection between fire and expression stems from in these two excerpts. Fire is the one thing that this man can control in his life. Abner acknowledges his control over fire by building a “shrewd” one this …show more content…
Sarty learns the act of self-expression from the fire by allowing himself to betray his family in order to finally release himself from the restraints his wicked father kept on him. Sarty is finally free to make his own decisions and no longer has to lie or hurt people with his family to get by in the world. Sarty uses the fire to relinquish himself to the point where he can now follow the law and live in peace with the rest of the world like he has always wanted
The boy had so many questions to ask yet knew to keep them to himself; he “wondered why not a big [fire]” (394). The fire that Sarty had been accustomed to seeing his father make for the family was always that of a small, shrewd fire. He tried to imagine what compelled his father, the man who burns down barns at the slightest sign of disrespect, to build such small fires. I feel like this is where we learn the most about Abner and his infatuation with this wild flame because the author boldly and outright tells us. “The element of fire spoke to some deep mainspring of his father’s being” Sarty exclaimed; “the weapon for the preservation of integrity” (394). We, the reader, can clearly see where Abner’s connection between fire and expression stems from in these two excerpts. Fire is the one thing that this man can control in his life. Abner acknowledges his control over fire by building a “shrewd” one this …show more content…
Sarty learns the act of self-expression from the fire by allowing himself to betray his family in order to finally release himself from the restraints his wicked father kept on him. Sarty is finally free to make his own decisions and no longer has to lie or hurt people with his family to get by in the world. Sarty uses the fire to relinquish himself to the point where he can now follow the law and live in peace with the rest of the world like he has always wanted