William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is a classic short story that explores themes of family loyalty, justice, and the struggle between right and wrong. Set in the rural South during the late 1800s, the story follows the struggles of a young boy named Sarty as he grapples with the actions of his father, a poor tenant farmer who has a habit of burning down barns. This article provides a brief overview of the story’s plot, characters, and themes, offering readers a deeper understanding of Faulkner’s powerful and thought-provoking work.
Background Information
William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is a classic short story that was first published in 1939. The story is set in the post-Civil War South and follows the struggles of a young boy named Sarty Snopes, who is torn between loyalty to his family and his own sense of morality. Faulkner is known for his complex and layered writing style, and “Barn Burning” is no exception. The story explores themes of family, loyalty, justice, and the struggle for identity in a rapidly changing world. Faulkner’s use of vivid imagery and symbolism creates a powerful and haunting portrait of the South during this tumultuous period in American history. “Barn Burning” remains a beloved and influential work of American literature, and continues to be studied and analyzed by scholars and readers alike.
Plot Summary
In “Barn Burning,” William Faulkner tells the story of a young boy named Sarty who is torn between loyalty to his family and doing what is right. Sarty’s father, Abner Snopes, is a poor tenant farmer who has a history of burning barns when he feels wronged by the wealthy landowners he works for. As the story unfolds, Sarty is forced to confront the reality of his father’s actions and the consequences they have on their family. Ultimately, Sarty must make a difficult decision that will determine the course of his life. Faulkner’s masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions of the rural South make “Barn Burning” a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
Main Characters
The main characters in William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” are Abner Snopes, a poor tenant farmer who has a history of burning barns, and his son, Sarty. Abner is a complex character who is driven by a deep sense of resentment towards those who he perceives as having more power and privilege than him. He is also fiercely protective of his family and will do whatever it takes to provide for them, even if it means breaking the law. Sarty, on the other hand, is a young boy who is torn between his loyalty to his father and his own sense of morality. Throughout the story, he struggles to reconcile his love for his family with his growing awareness of his father’s destructive behavior. Together, Abner and Sarty represent the conflicting forces of tradition and progress, loyalty and morality, that are at the heart of Faulkner’s story.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is the conflict between loyalty and morality. The story follows the protagonist, Sarty, as he struggles to reconcile his loyalty to his father, who is a serial arsonist, with his own sense of right and wrong. Throughout the story, Sarty is torn between his desire to protect his family and his growing awareness that his father’s actions are unjustifiable. This theme is further explored through the character of Abner Snopes, Sarty’s father, who is portrayed as a man who values his own pride and sense of power over the well-being of his family. The tension between loyalty and morality ultimately leads to a dramatic climax in which Sarty must make a difficult choice that will determine the course of his life.
Symbolism
Symbolism plays a significant role in William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning.” The story is filled with various symbols that represent different themes and ideas. One of the most prominent symbols in the story is fire. Fire is used to represent both destruction and rebirth. It is a symbol of the anger and violence that Sarty’s father, Abner Snopes, carries with him. At the same time, fire also represents the possibility of new beginnings and the hope for a better future. Another important symbol in the story is the barn. The barn represents the Snopes family’s livelihood and their connection to the land. It is also a symbol of the power dynamic between the wealthy landowners and the poor tenant farmers. The barn burning is a metaphor for the destruction of the Snopes family’s way of life and their struggle to survive in a world that is stacked against them. Overall, the use of symbolism in “Barn Burning” adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a classic of American literature.
Setting
The setting of “Barn Burning” is a small town in the rural South during the late 1800s. The story takes place on various farms and in the courthouse where the main character, Abner Snopes, faces charges for burning down a barn. Faulkner’s vivid descriptions of the landscape and the characters’ homes provide a sense of the poverty and hardship that many people faced during this time period. The contrast between the wealthy landowners and the poor tenant farmers is also a prominent theme in the story. Overall, the setting plays a crucial role in shaping the characters and their actions, as well as highlighting the social and economic inequalities of the time.
Style and Narrative Technique
Faulkner’s style in “Barn Burning” is characterized by his use of stream-of-consciousness narration and his ability to capture the dialect and vernacular of the rural South. The story is told from the perspective of a young boy named Sarty, who is struggling to come to terms with his father’s destructive behavior. Faulkner’s use of Sarty’s point of view allows the reader to experience the story through the eyes of a child, which adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. Additionally, Faulkner’s use of vivid imagery and descriptive language creates a sense of tension and unease throughout the story, as the reader is constantly aware of the danger that Sarty and his family are facing. Overall, Faulkner’s style and narrative technique in “Barn Burning” are masterful, and have helped to establish the story as a classic of American literature.
Historical Context
William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” was first published in Harper’s Magazine in 1939, during a time of great social and economic upheaval in the United States. The Great Depression had left many Americans struggling to make ends meet, and tensions between different social classes were high. Additionally, the country was still grappling with the aftermath of World War I, which had left many people disillusioned and questioning traditional values and beliefs. Against this backdrop, Faulkner’s story explores themes of loyalty, justice, and the struggle for power and control. It also offers a glimpse into the lives of poor, rural families in the South, who were often marginalized and overlooked by mainstream society. Overall, “Barn Burning” is a powerful reflection of the historical context in which it was written, and continues to resonate with readers today.
Critical Reception
Barn Burning has been widely acclaimed as one of Faulkner’s most powerful and poignant works. Critics have praised the story’s vivid portrayal of the Southern landscape and its complex characters. Many have also noted the story’s exploration of themes such as loyalty, justice, and the struggle for identity. Some critics have even gone so far as to call Barn Burning a masterpiece of American literature. However, others have criticized the story for its bleak and pessimistic view of human nature, as well as its sometimes difficult and convoluted prose style. Despite these criticisms, Barn Burning remains a beloved and influential work of fiction, and continues to be studied and analyzed by scholars and readers alike.
Adaptations and Influences
One of the most notable adaptations of “Barn Burning” is the 1980 film adaptation directed by Peter Werner. Starring Tommy Lee Jones as Abner Snopes and Shawn Whittington as his son Sarty, the film stays true to the themes and plot of the original story. However, it also adds a few elements, such as a romantic subplot between Sarty and a young girl named Libby. Despite these additions, the film received critical acclaim and is still considered a faithful adaptation of Faulkner’s work.
In terms of influences, “Barn Burning” has had a significant impact on Southern Gothic literature and has been cited as a major influence by authors such as Flannery O’Connor and Cormac McCarthy. The story’s exploration of family dynamics, morality, and the complexities of the South have resonated with readers and writers alike. Additionally, the character of Abner Snopes has become a symbol of the destructive and violent nature of the Old South, and his actions have been compared to those of other literary villains such as Shakespeare’s Iago and Melville’s Ahab. Overall, “Barn Burning” continues to be a powerful and influential work of American literature.