Since the beginning of time, morality has been a source of conflict for the human race. It is probably one of the most significant issues in our society today. All of my life, my parents have tried to instill the right morals and values in me. I feel like they have done a great job. In this story, Barn Burning by William Faulkner, one of the major themes was Loyalty and devotion to Family versus Loyalty to the Law. The main character of this story, Sarty Snopes faced a difficult decision of choosing between the two. The other important character in this story is Abner Snopes which is Sarty’s father. In this story he’s portrayed as a very bitter and strong-willed man. In “Barn Burning” the actions of Sarty’s father has presented him with a situation that has caused him great moral conflict between his devotion to his family and the law. The conflict in this story begins when Sarty tries to stay loyal to his father despite his father’s inappropriate actions. Sarty and Abner had a good relationship, but Sarty knows that his father’s actions are wrong and he doesn’t want to repeat them. One of the lessons Abner taught his son was …show more content…
Sarty was hopeful that moving would help his father come to the realization that what he was doing was wrong. Maybe this time would be the last time his father engages in the cruel act of barn burning. He hoped "Maybe he's done satisfied now, now that he has" (Faulkner pg.2). Deep down, Sarty knows his father is not going to stop burning barns and he has a hard time understanding his father’s actions. He said, "I could run on and never look back, never need to see his face again. Only I can't. I can't." (Faulkner pg.9). It is evident that Sarty is hurt by this situation as anyone would be. He desires to do the right thing, but he feels he will let his family down by doing so. Sarty’s fear of betraying his family causes him not to do what is morally
It has been stated that while doing what is right is not always easy, it is in fact doing what is right despite it being difficult that is quite the accomplishment. Justice one finds to be one of the major themes throughout “Barn Burning”. The notion of intuitive justice presents itself as a characteristic explored throughout William Faulkner’s literary masterpiece “Barn Burning” through the protagonist Colonel Sartoris Snopes, also referred to as Sarty throughout “Barn Burning”. Faulkner presents Sarty and demonstrates his sense of justice through literal actions and dramatic context.
The Significance of Family Meals in Faulkner’s Barn Burning, Shall Not Perish, and Two Soldiers
William Faulkner's "Barn Burning" is an intriguing story about a young boy named Colonel Sartoris's (Sarty) love and hatred for his father, Abner Snopes. Ab is a brutal and frightening man who instills fear into whom ever he seems to be close to. What is the cause of Abner Snopes's cruel-heartedness? Maybe it's his alienation from the higher class in society that causes him to act in this manner. When such a separation occurs in a community one can feel that he doesn't belong and because he does not belong that the only way the higher class will give him the time of day is if the person acts out and tries to prove that he doesn't need law and conventional society, much like Ab Snopes. Another possibility is that Sarty's father has not developed the intelligence to conform to societal formality. He might feel that law is unnecessary for a husband and father who can, for the most part, get by and protect his family on his own. The cold hearted side of Ab Snopes is what causes the internal conflict in Sarty. Sarty loves his father because of the simple fact that Ab is his father. No matter how evil a father is a part deep down inside, no matter how small, will always hold the door open in case that person ever decides to change. That of course is the only thing that even remotely resembles Sarty's true love for his father, because Abner Snopes does nothing but abuse anyone who ever loved him throughout the entire story. We know that he is harsh to his wife, his sons, his daughters, and even his stock, and in the end this is why Sarty betrays his father. He simply would not take it any longer.
of a conscience in the story are the ways that Sarty compliments and admires his
Throughout the story “Barn Burning”, author William Faulkner conveys the moral growth and development of a young boy, as he must make a critical decision between either choosing his family and their teachings or his own morals and values. The reader should realize that the story “Barn Burning” was written in the 1930’s, a time of economic, social, and cultural turmoil. Faulkner carries these themes of despair into the story of the Snopes family.
William Faulkner, recognized as one of the greatest writers of all time, once made a speech as he accepted his Nobel prize for writing in which he stated that a great piece of writing should contain the truths of the heart and the conflicts that arise over these truths. These truths were love, honor, pity, pride, compassion and sacrifice. Truly it would be hard to argue that a story without these truths would be considered even a good story let alone a great one. So the question brought forward is whether Faulkner uses his own truths of the heart to make his story "Barn Burning." Clearly the answer to this question is yes; his use of the truths of the heart are prevalent
Normally in life, you look up to your father to be the care taker and to encourage you to make your own decisions on what is right and what is wrong. You figure your father should have your best interest at heart and to show compassion for you. In William Faulkner's short story "Barn Burning," Abner is the opposite of the normal father figure you would see. Rather than encouraging his son, Sarty, to make his own decisions on what is right and what is wrong, Abner wants Sarty to lie for him to protect his freedom, so Abner won’t get caught for burning barns. Abner forces fear into Sarty to make sure he will lie for him rather than tell the truth. The relationship between Abner and Sarty is struggling due to Abners abusiveness and criminal ways.
Sarty has moved twelve times in his ten years of age and although the story does not state clearly, that this is not the first time his father has set fire to a barn, but shows that the chances are, that he probably has done this in the past which has affected Sarty in how he feels about his father. Sarty’s other family members include the mother, aunt, an older brother, and two twin sisters who are minor contributing factors in this story. The family knows the father is responsible for the burning of the barns and they even unwillingly help him at his requests. This story describes the family somewhat concerned for the father, but they never challenge his decision to burn the barns even though it is wrong.
Sarty spent his entire life hiding behind the unspoken rule that blood is thicker than water. But, in the face of having to decide whether he should continue to overlook Abner’s amoral behavior, he chooses not to. Even though he tries to understand Abner’s reasoning, in his heart he cannot condone it. In a situation where Sarty-the child would be frightened to stand up against his father, Sarty-the man is not. It is unfortunate that he had to lose a father in order to regain his sense of morality, but in light of the situation he was in, it can be agreed, that he is better off.
Through the heat of the fire the young boy has been changed forever. In William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning”, Abner, Sarty’s father, has a tendency of burning buildings which causes Sarty to change his way of life. Colonel Sartoris Snopes experiences many changes in his life starting as an obedient child to a confused boy and ending as an independent man.
“Barn Burning”, a short story written by William Faulkner focuses on themes of loyalty, family, and justice set in the fictional town of Yoknapatawpha, Mississippi. Colonel Sartoris Snopes, also known as “Sarty” finds himself between a rock and a hard place when confronted with whether his loyalty lies between his family or between the justice system. Abner Snopes, the father of Sarty, causes Sarty to question his moral conscious in whether to tell truth. William Faulkner,illustrates a complicated relationship between father and son who have different belief systems, which ultimately questions, is blood thick than water? In this case blood isn’t always thicker than water because although Sarty was Abners son, Sarty should not have been obligated to lie for his father’s wrong doings.
At first glance, the story “Barn burning” seems just to be about a tyrannical father and a son who is in the grips of that tyranny. I think Faulkner explores at least one important philosophical question in this story were he asks at what point should a person make a choice between what his parent(s) and / or family believes and his own values?
In the story “Barns Burning” Abner Snopes, the father is accused of burning a neighbor’s barn. Sarty is faced with a decision that will shape the rest of his life. Sarty is called to the stand, but because the plaintiff is ultimately unwilling to force him to testify against his own father, the case is closed, and the father is advised to leave that part of the country. As the family Sarty,
William Faulkner’s short story “Barn Burning” describes a typical relationship between wealthy people and poor people during the Civil War. The main character, Abner Snopes, shares the ropes to make a living for his family. He despises wealthy people. Out of resentment for wealthy people, he burns their barns to get revenge.
...eard the gunfire, no longer in terror and fear, "Father. My Father he thought." Sarty tried to think good thoughts about his father thinking, "he was brave!" He served as a solder under Colonel Sartoris in the war! When the morning sun came up, he was finally on his own to be his own man, free to make his own individual decisions without worrying about what his father would do to him. It was from Sarty's dilemma of family loyalty and the desire to please his father that kept him from doing the right things. Was his father so bitter due to experiences he had during the Civil War ? Was it society's fault for what happened to his father? Was Abner just born with his us against them attitude? These are all questions that Faulkner leaves with us after reading the "Barn Burning." and is part of that fire in the back of our minds that we will never be able to put out..