Theme Throughout BARN BURNING
Theme Throughout "Barn Burning" The Post-Civil War brought about many conflicts. Not only was there a distinct separation between the Confederates and the Union, but between social classes, race and families as well. "Barn Burning", written by William Faulkner, includes all of these conflicts and more in a story about a small family struggling though life as sharecroppers during the reconstruction of the Post-Civil War. Unfortunately, the leader of the Snopes family, Abner, is an enraged father who burns barns to let out his aggression. His youngest son, Sarty, blindly sees him as a trustworthy and loving person, but slowly Sarty's inner thoughts begin to speak louder each time his father does something immoral. Eventually, when a forever life-altering situation arises, Sarty must choose between his dishonest family and a life of altruism. In "Barn Burning" William Faulkner reveals that one must choose the moral and righteous path to live a happy healthy life, even if it means sacrificing the opinion of one's family. Adolescence is a confusing time in life when choosing a role model is difficult and critical to one's future. At the onset of the story, Sarty is exposed to the reader as a boy w
Abner is punished for his illegal actions and then takes his anger out on his family. This is definitely a reawakening for Sarty. Fortunately, he begins to notice characteristics in his father that he feels are not noble or reward able. Violence and threats can scare anyone into doing the wrong thing, especially if that person is young and impressionable like Sarty. "He aims for me to lie, he thought, again with that frantic grief and despair. Works CitedFaulkner, William. Therefore, he will do anything to defend his own flesh and blood, which even means losing his pride and health. He sees that his father will always burn barns and commit illegal acts, which is not what he wants for himself now or in his future. Sarty loves his father so much that he is willing to take verbal and physical abuse from other children and adults. Sarty does not want these qualities as a part of his own persona. He stole from others and took no authority when he was in battle. Knowing that Abner fought in the Civil War is a comfort for Sarty, an excuse for why he obeys his commands. This transformation will help him in the future to pry away form his fraudulent family.
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Acceptance Essays
