Subjects:
wealthy people and poor people during the Civil War. The main character, Abner Snopes,
sharecrops to make a living for his family. He despises wealthy people. Out of resentment
for wealthy people, he goes and burns their barns to get revenge. Abner’s character over
the course of the story is unchanging in that he is cold hearted, lawless, and violent.
First, Abner’s unchanging character shows his cold heartedness. After being sentenced to
leave the country for burning a man’s barn, he shows no emotions to his family. During
the story, there was not a time when he apologized or offered a word of encouragement to
them. His tone of voice when talking to them is bitter and bossy, and he never said thank
you. Later in the story after they had arrived at their next house, he orders his wife, her
sister and his two daughters to unload the wagon. He walks with his son to DeSpain’s
house where he entered without given permission, and proceeded to wipe his feet that was
covered with horse manure, thus staining the rug. “Abner moves through life with no
regard for his fellow humans and with no respect for their right to material possessions”
. . .
evidence to rule against Abner so he was advised to leave the country. It is seen throughout the story that Abner’s act of burning
barns is violent. Abner slaps his son when it is evident that he was about to tell the truth
about Mr. The court ruled in
DeSpain’s favor fining him, “to the amount of ten bushels of corn over and above your
contract with him, to be paid to him out of your crop at gathering time” (226), thus setting
off Abner’s anger. While paying a non-welcomed visit to Major DeSpain’s house, he
enters the house, “flinging the door back and the Negro also and entering, his hat still on
his head” (221). When Abner returned to DeSpain’s house he threw the rug on the porch instead
of knocking on the door and returning it to DeSpain properly. Later in the evening Abner calls his son to get to return the rug to
DeSpain. This showed that Abner has no remorse for anyone. Things today are better than they were back during the Civil War. At the beginning of the story, Abner is in a
makeshift courtroom where he is being tried for burning Mr.
Finally Abner’s unchanging character is revealed not only in his role as being cold-hearted
and lawless but also as violent. This started the
incident with the rug, which later led to the burning of DeSpain’s barn.
He shoves his wife away when she tugs at his arm and tries to restrain him.
Essay's Topics
All research is for reference purposes only.