Barn Burning is a short story written by William Faulkner. The story is about a young boy, Sarty, and his relationship with his father. Sarty is constantly faced with the dilemma of whether to obey his father and commit acts of violence or betray him and protect those who are innocent.
One of the most important literary elements in Barn Burning is symbolism. The title of the story is symbolic of the central conflict that Sarty faces. The barn represents security and stability, while the burning of the barn represents chaos and destruction. Another important symbol is Abner Snopes’ belt. The belt represents both authority and violence, and it is often used by Abner to intimidate others.
The characters in Barn Burning are also important. Sarty is a young boy who is trying to find his place in the world. He is forced to choose between obeying his father and doing what he believes is right. Abner Snopes is a complex character who is both villain and victim. He is a man who has been persecuted throughout his life, and this has led him to become bitter and angry. Lennie, the other main character in the story, is an innocent victim of Abner’s violence.
The setting of Barn Burning also plays an important role in the story. The story takes place in the rural South during the early 20th century. This setting helps to create a sense of isolation and desperation.
Ultimately, Barn Burning is a story about family relationships and the choices that we are forced to make. It is a story about the cycle of violence and how it can be difficult to break free from our past.
Barn Burning is a story about a family’s dynamics, and the different ways in which each member interacts with one another. The father, Abner Snopes, is a man who has been forced into a life of poverty. He is constantly on the move, looking for work so that he can provide for his family.
However, he is also a man with a quick temper and a fierce sense of pride. These qualities often lead him into trouble. The mother, Mrs. Snopes, is a woman who tries to hold the family together. She is fiercely loyal to her husband and sons, but she also has a strong sense of right and wrong. The children in the story – Sarty Snopes and his sisters – are all affected by the choices their parents make.
Sarty is the protagonist of the story. He is a young boy who is trying to figure out who he is and where he belongs. He is caught between two worlds: the world of his family, which is full of anger and violence, and the world of his school, which is full of learning and opportunity. Sarty wants to be a part of both worlds, but he knows that this is not possible. Barn Burning is a story about Sarty’s journey to find his place in the world.
The clock is one of Faulkner’s formal devices, which Sarty’s mother gives as a wedding gift that does not function. On a basic level, the clock represents the Snopes’ poverty and is the only expensive thing ever mentioned in their house. However, it also represents their relationship’s failure and her delight.
It stops at 9:13, the time of her death. Faulkner also uses light and dark to express the characters’ feelings. The opening scene is set in broad daylight, but it is not a happy one. The sun is setting, and darkness is creeping in, just as Sarty’s hope for his family is fading. In contrast, the final scene is pitch black, symbolizing Sarty’s complete disillusionment. These literary elements help to convey Faulkner’s themes in Barn Burning.
The clock inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which would not run, stopped at some fourteen minutes past two o’clock of a dead and forgotten time, which had been his mother’s dowry. She was crying… Her unhappiness is validated in the narrative by Abner’s treatment of his wife. He is cold and gives her orders, not to mention her feeling of hopelessness and despair about their way of life and his liking for fire.
For instance, when Abner is talking to his son about the horse, he says “I could have hit him with a stick, but I didn’t want to hit him.” However, Faulkner makes sure that these words are not simply substituted for their counterparts without thought. The words are specifically used to create a certain effect.
In the sentence just mentioned, Faulkner gives the reader a sense of Abner’s dislike of violence and his reluctance to hurt the horse, even though he has the ability to do so. Barn Burning is rich with literary elements that add depth and understanding to the story. Faulkner’s careful use of language provides readers with insight into the characters’ thoughts and feelings, creating a story that is not only enjoyable to read but also thought-provoking.
Sarty, for example, employs both “hit” and “kin” in the midst of her father’s finding out about the rug’s consequences: “If he wanted hit done different, why didn’t he wait and tell you how? He won’t get a twenty-bushel bag! He won’t get any! We’ll hide it and we’ll get hit! I can watch… (Faulkner 16)” The last two sentences are particularly ambiguous. Both meanings of “We’ll get hit” may be taken to imply that someone will be harmed.
However, it is also possible to read this as “I can watch,” meaning that Sarty will be guarding the barn, making sure that it is not burned down. Barn Burning is a great example of how literary elements can be used to convey a story. The story is told from the point of view of Sarty, a young boy who is trying to come to terms with his father’s actions. Faulkner uses several literary elements to communicate the story, including setting, point of view, and symbolism.
The setting in Barn Burning plays an important role in conveying the story. The story takes place in the south during the Civil War era. This setting helps to create a sense of tension and conflict. The setting also helps to communicate the characters’ feelings and attitudes. For example, the family lives in poverty, which contributes to their anger and resentment.
The point of view in Barn Burning is also important in conveying the story. The story is narrated by Sarty, who is a young boy. This point of view allows readers to see the world through Sarty’s eyes. This perspective is important in helping readers understand the characters’ thoughts and feelings. It also allows readers to understand the conflict that Sarty is experiencing.
