Sarty's Struggle in "Barn Burning"

Paper Summary:

The paper examines William Faulkner's "Barn Burning" and describes the struggles that the character Sarty faced in deciding whether to do what was right or be loyal to his family. The paper relates that Sarty ultimately rids himself of the oppressive hand of a cruel father with a brave decision that would shape his life forever. The paper also discusses how Faulkner demonstrates the value of high moral standards, and the costs and benefits of upholding them.

From the Paper:

"In his short story, "Barn Burning," William Faulkner brings to light a moral dilemma framed in the conflict between a young boy and his father. Set in the post Civil War era, the father, Abner Snopes, fights to assuage his frustrations of being a poor laborer for the wealthy by burning their barns. Tormented by a desire to deliver his own form of justice to those whom he views as his enemies, Abner rules his family with physical and emotional abuse. Amid tensions in his family life, the young Colonel Sartoris (Sarty) Snopes agonizes over the decision of doing what is right or being loyal to his family. With a backdrop of fear and despair, Faulkner illuminates the internal conflict of Sarty, which leads to a coming of age that defines the character of the person he will become."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Faulkner, William. "Barn Burning." The Norton Introduction to Literature. Ed. Alison Booth, J.Paul Hunter, Kelly J. Mays. 9th ed. New York: Norton, 2005. 710-722.

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