In "Barn Burning," Faulkner incorporates several instances of irony. He utilizes this literary tool in order to help the development of his characters and to express his ultimate message to the readers. Some examples of his use of irony are the unintentional yet inevitable ending of the Snopes family time after time, the similarities and differences between Sarty Snopes and his father, and finally, the two distinct purposes for which Abner Snopes uses fire. Separately, each is able to contribute to the development of the two main characters in the short story. Collectively, they are also able to help Faulkner convey his personal message that essentially an individual's sense of values puts together who he/she is.
             The most obvious instance of irony is the strange fashion in which each endeavor of the Snopes family concludes every time. To my knowledge, as the reader, it is neither intended nor premeditated that each attempt of the family to make a new start results in the same outcome. Each struggle is exactly that, yielding the uniform, undesired result of a barn being engulfed in ravaging flames and the family being forced to search for a new beginning. These trials help Sarty understand that in order to take control of his own destiny, he must separate himself from his family and venture out on his own. If he ever wishes to live a life other than that of a bum with no real chance for happiness or stability, he must leave now.
             Another case of the use of irony is the comparison between Sarty Snopes and his father. While they physically resemble each other, their morals could not differ more. Sarty is
             "small and wiry like his father... (p. 146)."
             However the similarities are strictly limited to physical characteristics. The values and principles that the father and son embrace reveal the true differences between the two. Abner allows his emotions and pride to get the better...