Barn Burning is a short story written by William Faulkner. It was first published in 1939. The story is about a young boy, Sarty, and his father, Abner Snopes. Abner is a sharecropper who has been accused of burning down a barn. Sarty knows that his father did it, but he doesn’t want to turn him in. He also doesn’t want to leave him alone.
Barn Burning is a powerful story about family loyalty and the choices we make. Faulkner’s writing is full of symbolism and imagery. The story is short, but it packs a lot of emotion into its pages. If you’re looking for something dark and intense, Barn Burning is definitely worth reading.
In Barn Burning, Faulkner employs a number of ironies. He utilizes this literary device to assist the growth of his characters and convey his ultimate message to the readers. The Snopes family’s unplanned yet inevitable end is one example of his use of irony. Finally, there are two distinct purposes for which Abner Snopes uses fire in the short story: separately, each may help develop the two main characters.
Together, they coalesce to create a moral lesson for the readers. The first irony that Faulkner employs is the fact that the Snopes family is inevitably destroyed with each new generation. The opening line of the story encapsulates this irony perfectly: “The Barn Burning.” This event, which takes place at the beginning of every Barn Burning, sets in motion a chain of events that leads to the eventual downfall of the Snopes family.
It is interesting to note that this Barn Burning is not an intentional act on Abner Snopes’s part, but rather something that happens as a result of his anger and stubbornness. Even though he knows that it will eventually lead to his demise, Abner continues to engage in destructive behavior, thereby illustrating the power of fate and irony.
Another instance of irony in Barn Burning is the similarity between Sarty Snopes and his father. On the surface, it would appear that there is nothing similar about the two characters. Abner is a violent, uneducated man who cares for nothing except himself and his own family. Sarty, on the other hand, is a kind, intelligent boy who wants only to do what is right. However, a closer look reveals that the two share several similarities.
For example, both are willing to use violence in order to get what they want. Additionally, they are both very loyal to their families; even though Sarty does not agree with all of his father’s actions, he still remains fiercely loyal to him. Finally, they are both survivors; they have both been able to overcome difficult circumstances and continue living. The juxtaposition of these similarities and differences provides readers with a more complex view of the characters.
The final irony in Barn Burning is the two distinct purposes for which Abner Snopes uses fire. In one instance, he uses it as a tool of destruction, burning down the barns of his enemies. In this way, fire represents Abner’s anger and hatred. However, there is also another purpose for which he uses fire: to create warmth and shelter for his family. This juxtaposition between fire’s two functions creates an interesting contrast and helps to further develop the characters.
Ultimately, Faulkner’s use of irony helps to express his message that people are not always what they seem to be on the surface. There is more to them than meets the eye, and readers should take the time to explore all aspects of their personalities in order to understand them fully.
They also enable Faulkner to deliver his personal message, which is that a person’s sense of values determines who he or she is. The most visible example of irony in the novel occurs when each Snopes family endeavor concludes with the same result. It isn’t planned or premeditated that each attempt by the family to start over leads to the same conclusion, as far as the reader knows.
The events that take place in Barn Burning are rife with irony and Faulkner makes use of the device extensively to develop his themes.
The story is set in Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, which Faulkner based on his own home county of Lafayette. Barn Burning takes place at the turn of the century, a time when the old order was giving way to the new. The story centers on the Snopes family, whose members are poor white farmers. Flem Snopes is the head of the family and he is always looking for ways to make money. His wife, Calpurnia, is a strong woman who helps him run the farm. Their son, Sarty, is a young boy who does not want to be a farmer.
The main conflict in Barn Burning is between Sarty and his father. Flem wants Sarty to help him burn down a barn, but Sarty does not want to do it. He knows that it is wrong, but he is afraid of his father. In the end, Sarty does not help his father burn down the barn, but he also does not tell anyone what happened. This leaves him feeling guilty and confused.
The values and principles that the father and son share demonstrate the real distinction between them. Abner allows his emotions and vanity to control him, causing him to act irrationally. This tears Sarty apart since he does not want to become like his father or be forced to follow in his footsteps morally. Faulk on uses this contrast in beliefs to assist Sarty realize that he does not want to become like his father nor is he obligated to follow in his footsteps.
In the end, Sarty is able to break free from the Barn Burning cycle and choose his own path in life. Barn Burning is an excellent example of Faulkner’s exploration of the human condition and Southern society during the early 20th century. It is a story that still resonates with readers today.
