Barn Burning
In William Faulkner's "Barn Burning", Sartoris Snopes is the main character. Sarty is the son of Abner Snopes who is an arsonist. In the beginning of the story, it becomes apparent that the son has a symbiotic relationship with his father. He speaks of the powerful force of blood and the common enemy which is the Justice of the Peace. (Paragraph 1). Sarty testifies on behalf of his fathers defense, and even though he finds the justice agreeable, he is accusing his father of the crimes he committed so therefore he is Sarty's foe as well. (paragraph 10). It is evident that Sartoris is hungry from the beginning of the story from the personification of his internal organs which are smelling foods and reading labels (Paragraph 1). The apparent hunger
Eventually the time comes for Sartoris to make the grandest decision and abandon his family for the principal of virtue, and this is exactly what he does when he informs the DeSpains that Abner plans to burn down the mansion. He shouted the simple word "Barn!" which signaled the response for De Spain (paragraph 88). He's conflicted by the Justice, his father, the peace and dignity of the DeSpain mansion, the rug trials and finally his separation from his blood. He believes that his father's flames are not strong enough to burn down the distinction that these people posses (Paragraph 42). The obligation that Sarty felt was entirely due to his father's "heat" and he begins to separate himself from this as his character develops through the story. He begins to develop a sense for what is good when he arrives at the DeSpain mansion. Sarty has lived a very nomadic existence due to his father's crimes and manages to hold a regal opinion of his father, out of obligation and from the illusion of Abner as a war hero who fought in Colonel Sartoris's Calvary (paragraph 91). Abner is shot at towards the end of the story, and the boy begins to rationalize his loyality to the man by recalling his heroism in the war, however is confident that he made the right decision by removing himself from Abner. Throughout the story, as Sartoris's character grows, he struggles with making decisions between good and evil. This is an example of how deeply the boy wishes his father to become a redeeming man and the point where he realizes that this is impossible. He concludes that the mere abundance of their wealth deems the DeSpains as people of peace and dignity and that Abner cannot affect them. Even though he realizes that he can never go back to his family, he makes a very noble and brave decision. introduces the depraved lifestyle which his is accustomed to and also gives insight into his father's character. After his father burns the DeSpain's rug and is required to pay for it, Sarty begins to hope that the price that his father must pay will be enough to reform his arsonist ways and will change him forever(Paragraph 66).
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