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 comprises
             who he/she is.
             The most obvious instance of irony is the uncanny fashion in which each endeavor
             of the Snopes family concludes every time. To the reader’s knowledge, 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 invariable, 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 vagabond 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 (p267, paragraph 7).” However the similarities
             are strictly limited to physical characteristics. The values and principles that the father
             and son embrace reveal the true contrast between the two. Abner allows his emotions
             and prid...