An Examination of Irony in Faulkners Barn Burning
In the short story, "Barn Burning," William Faulkner employs theliterary technique of irony in several instances to illustrate characterdevelopment as well as express his opinions. It is through the experiencesof a young Sarty that an older Sarty is able to look back on his life andsee the irony and learn from it. Sarty could be the phoenix that risesfrom the ashes of his father's fires. Perhaps the most distinct illustration of irony can be seen in how theSnopes family always seems to end up at the same place after each of theircircumstances. Interestingly, it is as if the family is involved in aviscous circle of defeat despite their determined efforts to escape it.This cycle forces the family to practically start over in a new townregularly. Early in the story, we read that they family is tossed out ofone town and that Abner "did not know where they were going. None of themever did or ever asked, because it was always somewhere, always a house ofsorts waiting for them a day or two days or even three days away" (476).It is ironic that Sarty decides that he wants to know where he was going atsome point in his life. He realizes that if he is to achieve this goal, he
For example, when Abner becomes annoyed, hesmears dirt on the rug. Abner built not a large fire, but a "small fire,neat, niggard almost, a shrewd fire; such fires were his father's habit andcustom always, even in freezing weather" (476). The family's difficulties allow Sarty to understand several importantfacts about life. It is ironic that Sarty would experience these feelingsabout his father considering his father never experienced them for him. In short,he was more concerned with his own internal suffering than he was hisfamily's suffering. Instead of growing up to be a carbon copy of hisfather, Sarty does just the opposite. From this seemingly hopelesssituation, Sarty emerges with a sense of hope. Clearly, Abner uses fire in a destructive manner. However, Sarty recognized the significance of what he felt that day and itchanged his life and attitude forever. One fact is that in order for him to have the chance tosucceed as a person, he must break away from his family and escape itscycle of destruction. WhileAbner did not have the foresight to look ahead to the future to provide forhis family, Sarty, at the end of the story, does not look back into hispast so that he can live. However, he sees something different when he arrives at the de Spainplantation. Maybe it will even change him now from what maybe he couldn't helpbut be" (478). While they might look alike, they have little else in common.
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