Barn Burning Essay Analysis by William Faulkner

William Faulkner’s short story “Barn Burning” is a powerful tale of family, loyalty, and moral choices. First published in 1939, this story has captivated readers for generations with its complex characters and intense themes.

In this post, we’ll break down the key elements of “Barn Burning” and explore what makes it such a compelling piece of literature.

Setting the Scene

The American South in the Late 19th Century

“Barn Burning” takes place in the American South shortly after the Civil War. This was a time of great change and upheaval, with tensions still high between different social classes. Faulkner paints a vivid picture of this world, where poor tenant farmers like the Snopes family struggle to make ends meet under the watchful eye of wealthy landowners.

For example, we see this tension play out in the very first scene, where Abner Snopes is on trial for burning down a barn. The courtroom is described as a “smelling” place, hinting at the poverty and desperation of the people who gather there.

A World of Haves and Have-Nots

Throughout the story, Faulkner emphasizes the stark divide between rich and poor. The Snopes family moves from place to place, living in run-down tenant houses, while the landowners live in grand mansions with fancy rugs and furniture. This contrast highlights the unfairness of the social system and helps us understand why Abner Snopes is so angry and bitter.

Meet the Characters

Sarty Snopes: Our Young Hero

At the heart of “Barn Burning” is Sarty Snopes, a ten-year-old boy caught between loyalty to his family and his own sense of right and wrong. Sarty is described as small and wiry, with eyes “like pale wood embers.” He’s a sensitive and observant child, always watching and trying to understand the world around him.

Throughout the story, we see Sarty struggle with conflicting emotions. He loves his father and wants to be loyal to his family, but he also knows that his father’s actions are wrong. This internal conflict drives much of the story’s tension and leads to Sarty’s ultimate decision.

Abner Snopes: The Complicated Villain

Abner Snopes, Sarty’s father, is a complex and troubling character. He’s described as stiff and wooden, with a “wolflike independence” and a fierce disregard for social norms. Abner is a bitter man who feels the world has treated him unfairly, and he lashes out by burning barns and destroying property.

While it’s easy to see Abner as the villain of the story, Faulkner gives us glimpses of his humanity. We learn that he was wounded in the Civil War and that he struggles to provide for his family. These details don’t excuse his actions, but they help us understand why he behaves the way he does.

The Supporting Cast

Other important characters in “Barn Burning” include:

• Sarty’s mother: A tired, beaten-down woman who tries to keep the peace in the family
• Sarty’s sisters: Described as “bovine” and seemingly unaware of the family’s troubles
• Major de Spain: A wealthy landowner who becomes Abner’s latest target
• Mr. Harris: Another landowner whose barn Abner burns at the beginning of the story

Each of these characters plays a role in shaping Sarty’s understanding of the world and influencing his final decision.

Themes and Symbols

Family vs. Morality

The central conflict in “Barn Burning” is between family loyalty and doing what’s right. Sarty feels a deep connection to his father and wants to stand by him, but he also knows that burning barns is wrong. This struggle is at the heart of the story and leads to Sarty’s coming-of-age moment.

For example, when Sarty is called to testify in court, he thinks to himself, “He aims for me to lie… And I will have to do hit.” This shows how torn Sarty is between his loyalty to his father and his own sense of right and wrong.

Class Conflict and Social Injustice

Faulkner uses “Barn Burning” to explore the deep divisions in Southern society after the Civil War. The story shows how the system of tenant farming kept poor families like the Snopes in a cycle of poverty, while landowners like de Spain lived in luxury.

We see this class conflict play out in several scenes, such as when Abner deliberately tracks manure onto de Spain’s expensive rug. This act of defiance is Abner’s way of striking back at a system he sees as unfair.

Fire as a Symbol

Fire plays a crucial role in “Barn Burning,” both literally and symbolically. For Abner, fire is a tool of destruction and a way to assert his power over those he sees as oppressors. But fire can also represent passion, change, and purification.

The contrast between “cold” and “hot” imagery throughout the story reinforces this theme. Abner is often described in cold terms, with his “cold, dead voice,” while the fires he sets are vivid and alive.

The Power of Choice

Ultimately, “Barn Burning” is a story about the power of individual choice. Despite his young age, Sarty must decide whether to remain loyal to his family or do what he believes is right. This decision marks his transition from childhood to adulthood and sets him on a new path in life.

Plot Analysis

The Opening Scene: Setting the Stage

“Barn Burning” begins in a courtroom, where Abner Snopes is on trial for burning down Mr. Harris’s barn. Right away, we’re thrown into the conflict between Abner and the rest of society. We also see Sarty’s internal struggle as he’s called to testify but isn’t forced to lie when the case is dismissed.

This opening scene establishes the key themes of the story: family loyalty, social injustice, and the power of fire. It also introduces us to Sarty’s perspective, which will guide us through the rest of the narrative.

Moving On: A Family in Flux

After the trial, the Snopes family moves to a new area where Abner will work as a sharecropper for Major de Spain. This section of the story gives us a deeper look into the family dynamics and the harsh realities of their life.

We see how Abner’s bitterness and anger affect everyone around him. For example, when the family camps for the night, Abner strikes Sarty for almost telling the truth in court. This moment shows the cost of loyalty in the Snopes family and deepens Sarty’s internal conflict.

The Rug Incident: Escalating Tensions

A key turning point in the story comes when Abner deliberately tracks manure onto Major de Spain’s expensive rug. This act of defiance sets off a chain of events that will lead to the story’s climax.

The rug incident is important for several reasons:

1. It shows Abner’s disregard for social norms and property
2. It escalates the conflict between Abner and the landowners
3. It forces Sarty to confront the consequences of his father’s actions

When de Spain demands that Abner pay for the damage, we see how this conflict affects the whole family. Sarty tries to clean the rug himself, showing his desire to make things right and avoid further trouble.

The Final Confrontation: A Choice is Made

The story reaches its climax when Abner decides to burn down de Spain’s barn. This time, Sarty can’t stand by and let it happen. He warns de Spain, effectively choosing justice over family loyalty.

This moment is the culmination of Sarty’s internal struggle throughout the story. By warning de Spain, Sarty is not just saving a barn – he’s choosing to break free from his father’s influence and forge his own path in life.

The Aftermath: A New Beginning

The story ends with Sarty running away into the woods, hearing gunshots behind him. We’re left to imagine what happens next, but we know that Sarty’s life has changed forever.

This open-ended conclusion leaves us with a sense of hope mixed with uncertainty. Sarty has made a moral choice, but at great personal cost. The final image of him falling asleep on a hill, planning to keep moving at dawn, suggests both the difficulty and the possibility of his new life.

Writing Style and Technique

Faulkner’s Unique Voice

William Faulkner is known for his distinctive writing style, and “Barn Burning” is a great example of his technique. Some key aspects of Faulkner’s style in this story include:

1. Long, complex sentences: Faulkner often uses lengthy sentences with multiple clauses to capture the complexity of his characters’ thoughts and emotions.
2. Rich, sensory descriptions: The story is full of vivid details that bring the setting and characters to life. For example, Faulkner describes the smell of cheese in the courtroom and the sound of Abner’s stiff leg as he walks.
3. Stream of consciousness: While not as extreme as in some of his novels, Faulkner uses elements of stream of consciousness to show us Sarty’s inner thoughts and feelings.
4. Southern dialect: The characters’ speech patterns reflect their rural Southern background, adding authenticity to the story.

Narrative Perspective

“Barn Burning” is told from a third-person limited point of view, focusing primarily on Sarty’s perspective. This choice allows Faulkner to show us both Sarty’s inner thoughts and the broader context of the story.

By seeing the events through Sarty’s eyes, we experience his confusion, fear, and moral awakening firsthand. At the same time, the third-person narration gives us insights that Sarty himself might not have, helping us understand the larger social and historical context of the story.

Symbolism and Imagery

Faulkner uses rich symbolism and imagery throughout “Barn Burning” to deepen the story’s themes. Some examples include:

1. Fire: As mentioned earlier, fire is a central symbol in the story, representing both destruction and potential for change.
2. Blood: Faulkner often refers to blood, especially in relation to family ties. This emphasizes the strength of family loyalty and the pain of breaking those bonds.
3. The contrast between movement and stasis: The Snopes family is constantly on the move, while the landowners are rooted in place. This reflects the social divisions in the story.
4. Light and darkness: Faulkner uses light and shadow to create mood and highlight key moments, such as the “glare of a burning barn” that Sarty sees at the end of the story.

Historical and Social Context

The Post-Civil War South

To fully appreciate “Barn Burning,” it’s important to understand the historical context in which it’s set. The story takes place in the decades following the American Civil War, a period known as the Reconstruction era.

During this time, the South was undergoing significant changes:

1. The abolition of slavery led to new social and economic structures
2. Many formerly wealthy families struggled to maintain their status
3. Poor white farmers, like the Snopes family, often became sharecroppers or tenant farmers
4. Tensions between different social classes were high

Faulkner captures this turbulent period in “Barn Burning,” showing how these larger social forces affect individual lives and families.

The Sharecropping System

The system of sharecropping, which features prominently in “Barn Burning,” was a common arrangement in the post-Civil War South. Under this system:

1. Landowners would allow tenant farmers to work their land
2. In return, the tenants would give a portion of their crop to the landowner as rent
3. Tenants often had to borrow money for seeds and supplies, creating a cycle of debt

This system kept many farmers, both black and white, in a state of near-poverty and dependence on landowners. We see the effects of this system on the Snopes family, who are constantly moving from place to place, unable to improve their situation.

Class and Race in the South

While “Barn Burning” doesn’t directly address race, the issue of class is central to the story. Faulkner shows us a society sharply divided between landowners and tenants, with little opportunity for social mobility.

Abner Snopes’s anger and destructive behavior can be seen as a response to this unfair system. At the same time, Sarty’s decision to break away from his family represents hope for change and the possibility of breaking the cycle of poverty and resentment.

The Significance of “Barn Burning”

A Coming-of-Age Story

At its heart, “Barn Burning” is a coming-of-age story. We watch as Sarty grapples with difficult moral questions and ultimately makes a decision that will shape the rest of his life. This journey from childhood to moral adulthood is a classic theme in literature, and Faulkner handles it with particular skill and nuance.

A Critique of Social Injustice

Through the Snopes family’s struggles and Abner’s acts of rebellion, Faulkner offers a powerful critique of the social and economic injustices of his time. While he doesn’t excuse Abner’s actions, he helps us understand the conditions that might drive someone to such destructive behavior.

A Timeless Exploration of Moral Choices

While “Barn Burning” is firmly rooted in a specific time and place, its central questions are universal. How do we balance family loyalty with our own moral compass? What do we do when we’re caught between two bad choices? These are questions that resonate with readers across generations and cultures.

A Masterclass in Short Story Writing

From a literary perspective, “Barn Burning” is often studied as an exemplary short story. Faulkner manages to pack complex characters, rich themes, and a compelling plot into a relatively short piece of writing. His use of symbolism, imagery, and narrative perspective makes “Barn Burning” a model for aspiring writers to study and learn from.

Conclusion

William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is a rich and complex story that rewards close reading and analysis. Through the eyes of young Sarty Snopes, we explore themes of family loyalty, social injustice, and moral awakening. Set against the backdrop of the post-Civil War South, the story offers both a specific historical critique and a timeless examination of human nature.

As we’ve seen, Faulkner uses a range of literary techniques – from vivid imagery to complex sentence structures – to bring his characters and their world to life. The result is a story that continues to captivate readers and provoke thought and discussion more than 80 years after it was first published.

Whether you’re encountering “Barn Burning” for the first time or revisiting it after many readings, there’s always something new to discover in this powerful and enduring work of American literature.

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FAQs About “Barn Burning”

1. Q: Who is the main character in “Barn Burning”? A: The main character is Sarty (Sartoris) Snopes, a ten-year-old boy who faces a moral dilemma between loyalty to his family and doing what he believes is right.
2. Q: Why does Abner Snopes burn barns? A: Abner burns barns as an act of revenge and defiance against those he sees as oppressors. It’s his way of striking back at a social system he believes is unfair.
3. Q: What does the fire symbolize in the story? A: Fire symbolizes several things in “Barn Burning,” including destruction, power, passion, and the potential for change or purification.
4. Q: How does the story end? A: The story ends with Sarty warning Major de Spain about his father’s plan to burn the barn. Sarty then runs away into the woods, hearing gunshots behind him.
5. Q: What is the significance of the title “Barn Burning”? A: The title refers to Abner’s actions of burning barns, but it also symbolizes the destruction of the old social order and Sarty’s burning desire for justice and a new life.
6. Q: When and where does the story take place? A: The story is set in the American South in the decades following the Civil War, likely in the 1890s.
7. Q: What is the main conflict in “Barn Burning”? A: The main conflict is internal, as Sarty struggles between his loyalty to his family and his own sense of right and wrong.
8. Q: Why is “Barn Burning” considered an important work of literature? A: “Barn Burning” is valued for its complex characters, rich themes, historical insights, and Faulkner’s masterful writing style. It’s also an excellent example of the coming-of-age story and short story structure.
9. Q: What is the significance of the rug in the story? A: The incident with the rug represents the clash between Abner and the upper class. It’s also a turning point that escalates the conflict and forces Sarty to confront the consequences of his father’s actions.