...The style of Faulkner and Hemmingway in “Barn Burning: and “A Clean, Well-Lighted place, respectively, is completely different. The writing of Hemmingway is quite unique due to which he can be considered different from other authors. There is a slow tempo of the story at the beginning and create a serene feeling for the reader. In contrast, Faulkner is quite extreme and takes a completely different approach by utilizing complex terms. Hemmingway prefers to write short sentences in comparison to Faulkner whose sentences are quite lengthy at times and make up a complete passage. Furthermore, the vocabulary used by Hemmingway is quite simple and easy to understand, however, this might pose a problem as well-educated readers will probably lose...
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...In William Faulkner’s story “Barn Burning,” Sarty, a ten year old boy, struggles to find his own identity due to choosing between his father’s ideals of loyalty to family and justice. Sarty lives and travels with a very poor white family, and they work on farms of rich landowners, but they get paid very little. As the beginning of the story begins, Sarty and his family are in court for Abner’s decisions of burning landowners’ barns. In the process, Sarty is pressured to choose between two paths, in which Faulkner shows “the classic conflicts of good versus evil, son versus father, and individual versus familial identity” (Ford). At the end Sarty’s final resolution develops his identity. Sarty’s conflict with his father is very strong, because Abner Snopes believes family loyalty is everything. Sarty is unable to make his own choices due to Abner’s ideals, because from the beginning Abner enforces Sarty to “stick to your own blood”(Faulkner 175). In the opening scenes, Sarty’s conflict is unveiled. Sarty loves and respects his father, but in court he does not want to lie. This causes Sarty to recognize his father’s enemies as his own enemies, and this puts Sarty in a very uncomfortable position. As Ford states, during the first trial with Mr. Harris’ Barn, the Justice of the peace banishes Abner from town instead of testifying...
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...In William Faulkner’s book, Barn Burning, Abner Snopes is a cold and violent Civil War veteran. Faulkner writes him to be harsh and emotionless. Abner is also describes as a man with shaggy gray eyebrows, and pebble-colored hair; furthermore, he walks with a limp that he obtains while stealing a horse during the war. Abner Snopes would not be considered a family man, because he is stiff and emotionless when it comes to his family. His family often receives the blunt force of his anger and frustration, especially Sarty. There are many explanations that could be used to explain Abner’s cruel behavior such as; Post-traumatic stress from the war that he served in, jealousy of those who has more than him, and his attitude towards others could be a reflection...
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...Barn Burning William Faulkner is concerned with the south and its problems with black slavery. The issues in Barn Burning deal with the conflict between father and son. The theme of this story focuses on justice. The boy, Sarty, objects to his father burning barns and wants people to be treated fairly. His father, Abner, believes his son should respect and support kin. Abner thinks family is right no matter what. Faulkner's intent is to show that choosing between one's own family and justice is very difficult to do, and in the end justice must prevail. The theme is best illustrated by its point of view, its characterization, and setting. Faulkner represents his point of view using both first and third person to translate his theme. The story is being told by Sartoris Snopes who is a boy at the time the story takes place. Throughout the story he shifts from first to third person narrative voices. At times in the story he would speak as only a child would, then something would be said by him which was too knowledgeable for a boy his age to know. This gives an impression that he is older and is remembering things of his past. Switching between first and third person shows that the choice he made greatly affected him. The way the characters are portrayed remarkably depicts Faulkner's theme. The two conflicting characters are described in similar ways to show their differences. Abner is described by how people see and think about him. From...
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...Jaleel Ritchwood Dr. Angela Elliot Introduction to Literary Analysis ENG1005A Breaking Free William Faulkner’s story “Barn Burning” seems just to be about an oppressive father and a son who is in the grips of that oppression. I think Faulkner explores at least one important philosophical question in this story where he asks at what point should a person make a choice between what his parent(s) and/or family believes and his own values? The main character and protagonist in this story is a boy named Colonel Sartoris, who is nicknamed Sarty. In this story, Sarty is faced with the decision of both going along with the views and actions of his ethically challenged father or assert his own ethics and independence by running away and leaving his family and his pain behind. In William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning”, Sarty and his father Abner struggle with internal emotions dealing with their way of life. The antagonist in the story is Abner Snopes. Abner is a very angry and inconsiderate man who has hate and abomination for almost anybody who is not “blood-kin”, and he portrays that hatred and disapproval throughout the story. This story follows the typical format and is narrated in the third person. In the exposition, Faulkner’s skill as a writer is established through the way that he uses details to draw the readers into the story. Also, in the first paragraph we are introduced to the main character and protagonist in the story, Sarty. The setting in which Sarty’s conflict is...
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...1 A Strong Bond The theme in “Barn Burning” by William Faulkner revolved around the strong bond of a family. The main character has to make a decision between what is right and wrong. This drives a wedge between him and his family. The rest of the family believes that blood is thicker than water and that you should stick with your own kin. In the story the strong bond of a family causes conflicts within the main character. Faulkner starts “Barn Burning” with a view of a small courthouse. Sarty sits outside as his father, Abner, argues with the Justice of the Peace. This shows just how little respect Abner has for the law. Abner is being accused of setting someone’s barn on fire. The Justice rules that Abner should pack his belongings and leave the country before dark. Abner and his sons then head out to the wagon where the rest of his family awaits. They ride for a while before camping out in some trees. The next day they arrive at the house and begin unpacking. Then Abner leaves and sets route to the De Spain’s house. Upon arrival he barges through the door and calmly wipes his feet over the expensive white carpet. He has no respect for others or their belongings. A couple hours later a man arrives with the rug and tells Abner to clean it. He does not only clean the rug, but he also sets it on fire to prove that he is above the law. After getting in trouble with the Justice of Peace again Abner prepares to set fire to the De Spain’s barn to show that he is above everyone...
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...to engage the reader into a story. This is also the case in “Barn Burning” by William Faulkner. Faulkner’s two major characters in “Barn Burning,” could easily fall into the categories dynamic, round, static and flat characters. Although Faulkner has several minor characters that add to the story as well, we will only be taking a look at his two major characters. Colonel Sartoris Snopes, or “Sarty,” would be our dynamic, round character. Abner Snopes, our other main character, would be our flat, static character. Often times a major character will fall into a couple different categories of character types. Sarty can also be classified as both a dynamic character (one that changes throughout the story), and also a round character (one that acts from varied, often conflicting motives, impulses, and desires). Throughout the story Sarty has to struggle with following the teachings of his father, regarding family loyalty vs. his own inner moral judgment. There is a trial going on at the opening of the story, where Sarty’s father is on trial for burning down his employer’s barn. Sarty is called to the stand, but then removed before having a chance to testify against his father. Later his father confronts him, asking “You were fixing to tell them. You would have told him.” To which Sarty replies, that he would have. He later of course, does side with justice and warns Major De Spain that is father is planning to his barn. Arriving at the De Spain home for the first time, is a crucial...
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...ENG111 Online June 13, 2011 Commitment to Family or Freedom to Self The three literary pieces The Glass Menagerie, Barn Burning, and Ulysses all have something in common. A significant character from each work abandoned his family to seek out his own needs. As I read the three different literary works recently I reflected on what a one-of-a-kind thing a family is to each of us. Is it wrong to put our own needs above that of our parents, our brothers and sisters, or even our spouses or children? Even when raised by the by the same parents, in the same community we all grow into unique individuals with directions of our own, independent from the aspirations of our parents and siblings. As I read the three pieces of literature The Glass Menagerie, Barn Burning, and Ulysses it got me thinking about some of the ways in which I feel about my own family situation. I know I could never leave them, but I do know so many people who have set off away from their families. I sometimes desperately envy those with that freedom. In all three works, there is a balance to be found towards responsibility and commitment to family, and freedom and choice to self. For the purpose of this essay I will compare the roles of Tom from The Glass Menagerie, Sarty in Barn Burning, and Ulysses in the poem Ulysses. Although they each served a different role in the family as a brother, father, and a son, they in the end all made a decision to leave their families in each literary piece. ...
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...A Literary Analysis of “Barn Burning” In the beginning, “Barn Burning” appears to be a story about an oppressive father and his family, who seems to be caught up in his oppression. As you read further in to the story you find that the story is focused on a young son of a poor sharecropper, who has to struggle with his father’s arsonist tendencies which are destroying his families’ reputation and life style, while coming to terms with his own morality. The young son, whose name is Colonel Sartoris Snopes, is the protagonist in this story. Sarty (the boy’s nickname) disapproves of his father’s destructive actions and soon has to decide whether to be loyal to his family or give in to his own values of morality. Abner Snopes, who is the boy’s father, is the antagonist in the story. Abner Snopes is a very angry man, who despises the aristocracy class of people whom he has to work for and throughout the story constantly displays this hatred. The story is narrated in third person and follows a typical format. In Faulkner’s writing style, he uses descriptive dictation to draw the reader’s in to the story. In the first paragraph Faulkner introduces us to the main character in the story, Sarty. Subsequently, throughout the story we are introduced to the other family members. The setting in which Sarty’s conflict is recognized is at a trial, where his father is being accused of setting a barn on fire. This is also where Faulkner allows us a glimpse of Sarty’s internal moral dilemma in regards...
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...Barn Burning William Faulkner is concerned with the south and its problems with black slavery. The issues in Barn Burning deal with the conflict between father and son. The theme of this story focuses on justice. The boy, Sarty, objects to his father burning barns and wants people to be treated fairly. His father, Abner, believes his son should respect and support kin. Abner thinks family is right no matter what. Faulkner's intent is to show that choosing between one's own family and justice is very difficult to do, and in the end justice must prevail. The theme is best illustrated by its point of view, its characterization, and setting. Faulkner represents his point of view using both first and third person to translate his theme. The story is being told by Sartoris Snopes who is a boy at the time the story takes place. Throughout the story he shifts from first to third person narrative voices. At times in the story he would speak as only a child would, then something would be said by him which was too knowledgeable for a boy his age to know. This gives an impression that he is older and is remembering things of his past. Switching between first and third person shows that the choice he made greatly affected him. The way the characters are portrayed remarkably depicts Faulkner's theme. The two conflicting characters are described in similar ways to show their differences. Abner is described by how people see and think about him. From the beginning...
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...William Faulkner’s, “Barn Burning,” is a story of a sharecropper, Abner Snopes, and the plight of his family during tense class times in the South. Sharecropping became a way of life in the South after the Civil War and the abolishment of slavery. It was during this post- bellum time that social class tensions were on the rise as sharecropping took advantage of poor white people, while greatly benefiting the wealthy. Faulkner uses Abner Snopes and his family as a portal to the trials and tribulations of a poor white sharecropping family. Faulkner’s, “Barn Burning,” is an excellent portrayal of the extreme disparity and injustice within the social classes in the South. This disparity and injustice is what triggers the leader of the family, Abner Snopes, to let out his aggression by burning barns. The dynamics of class system and hierarchy are well demonstrated throughout the, “Barn Burning.” Not only is it evident in the social and cultural details surrounding the Snope’s lives, but, it is also evident within their immediate family dynamics. Abner Snopes is the authoritative head of the family in, “Barn Burning.” Abner calls the shots in regards to his family, throughout the story. His position amongst society is quite opposite of the role he has within his own family. As a sharecropper and tenant of wealthy plantation owners, Abner was treated much like a slave. At one point in the story, Abner says, “I reckon I’ll have a word with the man that aims to begin to-morrow...
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...Theme, Dominant Element, Character, and Conflict in Barn Burning The story “Barn Burning” immediately begins in a small store in the year 1895. A young boy named Sarty is called to court to testify against his father. Sarty’s father, Abner Snopes has been accused of burning down a man’s barn. Sarty knows for a fact that his father is guilty of this crime. He is also aware that he will have to lie for his father. The judge comes to the conclusion that they are putting the young boy in a bad position and drops the charges but tells Abner to never come back to the county. The next day, Sarty and his family head out to their new home on a farm working as tenant farmers. Abner takes Sarty along to greet and talk to the owner of the farm. Prior to the meeting, Abner tracks horse manure into the owner’s house ruining an expensive rug. The next day the owner tells Abner that he will pay for the rug he ruined by increasing his work quota. In an attempt to reduce this work quota increase, Abner goes to court but is not happy with the verdict. His work quota was reduced, but it was not to his satisfaction. He feels that he has been wronged and decides to set the owner’s barn on fire. Sarty knows this and warns the owner who then rides off towards the barn. Sarty hears three gunshots and concludes that his father is dead. Life gives you many choices both good and bad. They can lead you down the right or wrong path and they can affect more than just you. The dominant element...
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...First Draft Barn Burning is a short story that was written by an American author- William Faulkner. Faulkner has brought out a mysterious characterization of Snopes. It is a story that has ten year old Sarty Snopes as the main character who is faced by a conflict. Sarty’s father is a barn burner and he is divided as to whether he should let it to the judges that his father faces on two different occasions. In the first case, his father is taken to court and charged with burning Mr. Harry’s barn. Even though he is guilty, he walks away scot free and the bad thing about it is that it is not the first and is not going to be the last barn he burns as we see in the story later. It is an injustice and he wishes that he could stop it, but on the other hand, he should protect the family name. this brings out the basis upon which the story rotates. The stor’s main theme is a conflict in which Sarty has to find which one among his family and his community he should identify with. Abner Snopes, Sarty’s father keeps on reminding him that family relations are very important and that “he was getting to be a man. He got to learn to stick to his own blood or he wont have any blood to sticking to him” (Main story: p 3) the major theme in the book is about finding one’s identity, or choosing what to identify with. There is constant identity crisis. Sarty is caught off guard this time by his father’s intension to burn Mr. de Spain’s barn. He even tries to delay his plan by suggesting the sending...
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...Analysis of “Barn Burning” The main issue that arises in this short story is right versus wrong. Colonel Sartoris “Sarty” Snopes is a young man who feels the building pressure of his conscience, but extreme loyalty to his father. Sarty possesses a keen sense of right and wrong. The opening seen begins with his father, Abner Snopes, expecting his son to perjure himself. This would allow Abner to not be prosecuted for barn burning. He strongly believes in the kinship bond the “old fierce pull of blood.” He doesn’t focus on the consequences of his actions…nor does he care. Abner Snopes is very poor, paranoid, vengeful and full of rage. He despises those who are more financially stable. Unlike his bitter father, Sarty subconsciously questions his father’s devilish actions. He is unable to fathom the reasoning why his father feels justified to ruin these wealthy properties. His loyalty is demonstrated in the scene which the young boys call out, “Barn burner!” Sarty immediately strikes out and punches the boys. This shows the reader that he does feel personally threatened. It is apparent that he yearns for a normal father…One that he could idolize and learn positive attributes. Abner feels that by burning down these properties it is doing justice. He is exhausted from working as a farm hand, so he preys on those who he feels threatened by. Sarty hopes that his father will stop eventually as he states, “Maybe he’s done satisfied now, now that he has”…then he stopped himself. The...
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...HUMANITY There are many aspects pertaining to literature that cause readers to consider it good literature. Some may analyze the plot, setting, narrative structure, character, mood, or theme. Others may choose to analyze or focus on literary techniques such as imagery, hyperbole, personification, or irony. Though we may choose to focus on any of these facets, as well as many more, the one condition that we all seem to be looking for in literature is connection. We want to be able to relate to the characters in the works we read. We want to read stories that we can comprehend and identify with; stories that allow us to associate ourselves with the characters, see the story through their eyes, put ourselves in their shoes, feel their pain, and celebrate their victory. Good literature fully explores the depths and aspects of humanity through empathy, morality, madness, vulnerability, and pride. The White Troops Had Their Orders, but the Negros Looked Like Men by Gwendolyn Brooks exemplifies empathy through the white troop meeting the black troops, likely slaves, for the first time. The poem starts us off by showing how the white men had been trained to look at the black men. They had been given the formula on how to treat them until their empathy sets in after seeing the black troops for the first time. “But when the Negros came they were perplexed. These Negros looked like men” (Brooks, 2495). In fact, they appreciated the similarities so much, they didn't have the time or frame...
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