The cruelty and domination of a father, can extinguish any flame of hope that develops in the people around him. To have a sense of peace, a craving hunger to belittle those around him that thought they were “better than him” seemed to be the only way: despising wealthy people. A father figure is commonly known for his compassion and general desire for the best in his family, however, in “Barn Burning”, William Faulkner took a different route in creating Abner Snopes, showing social inequity and economic inequality. Abner Snopes and his family go on a taxing life with frequent traveling, putting their loyalties to the test. “Barn Burning” describes a typical relationship between the wealthy and the poor during the Civil War. Abner’s character
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Abner’s unchanging role in the story as being cold-hearted is evident, but it is also clear that his role is being lawless. His law breaking begins with the Civil War, when he was supposed to be fighting, but instead he decides to steal some horses. Abner claims that he was once a “horse trader,” as well as a mercenary. At the beginning of the story, Abner continues this act where he is found in the courtroom being tried for burning down Mr. Harris’ barn. There was not any evidence to prove that Abner burnt down the barn, however, he was asked to leave the country. Abner tells his family to get in the wagon so they can leave, after hearing from a group of people shout out “barn burner”. When the family arrived at their next house, things were already getting off to a bad start. Abner claimed to the court that DeSpain’s twenty bushels of corn fine was too high for the damage done to the rug for man in his circumstances, “De Spain is stunned by the incredible circumstance of being sued by one of his own tenants” (Peyser). However, the court was in De Spain’s favor, holding Abner to the amount of ten bushels of corn when the crop is due. As a result, Abner shows his anger by getting things situated to burn down de Spain’s …show more content…
He is a brutal and frightening man that shows no remorse for anyone. Throughout the story, Abner’s act of violence is burning down barns. His son, Sartoris, was wanting to tell the truth about his father burning down Mr. Harris’ barn, but Abner slaps him instead. Sarty saved himself from receiving more beatings from his father after whispering yes. Without invitation, Abner shows up to Major de Spain’s doorsteps, enters the house, “flinging the door back and the Negro also and entering, his hat still on his head” (Faulkner). This starts the incident with the expensive rug and later on to burning de Spain’s barn. “The contrast between the de Spain mansion and the Snopes tenant farmer shack highlights the terrible divide between owner and tenant in the ‘30s” (Byrne). After sundown, Abner plans to burn down de Spain’s barn, his wife tugs at his arm but he shoves her away, picks up his son and orders his wife to hold him and to not let him get away. Sarty is able to escape from his mother and runs to the house of Major de Spain before his dad and other brother show up with a can of kerosene. “He did not knock, he burst in, sobbing for breath, incapable for the moment of speech…” (Faulkner). Sarty informs de Spain of the danger of his father. De Spain was able to find Abner and oldest son, but Sarty started running, “after he heard the shot and, an
Abner’s unchanging role in the story as being cold-hearted is evident, but it is also clear that his role is being lawless. His law breaking begins with the Civil War, when he was supposed to be fighting, but instead he decides to steal some horses. Abner claims that he was once a “horse trader,” as well as a mercenary. At the beginning of the story, Abner continues this act where he is found in the courtroom being tried for burning down Mr. Harris’ barn. There was not any evidence to prove that Abner burnt down the barn, however, he was asked to leave the country. Abner tells his family to get in the wagon so they can leave, after hearing from a group of people shout out “barn burner”. When the family arrived at their next house, things were already getting off to a bad start. Abner claimed to the court that DeSpain’s twenty bushels of corn fine was too high for the damage done to the rug for man in his circumstances, “De Spain is stunned by the incredible circumstance of being sued by one of his own tenants” (Peyser). However, the court was in De Spain’s favor, holding Abner to the amount of ten bushels of corn when the crop is due. As a result, Abner shows his anger by getting things situated to burn down de Spain’s …show more content…
He is a brutal and frightening man that shows no remorse for anyone. Throughout the story, Abner’s act of violence is burning down barns. His son, Sartoris, was wanting to tell the truth about his father burning down Mr. Harris’ barn, but Abner slaps him instead. Sarty saved himself from receiving more beatings from his father after whispering yes. Without invitation, Abner shows up to Major de Spain’s doorsteps, enters the house, “flinging the door back and the Negro also and entering, his hat still on his head” (Faulkner). This starts the incident with the expensive rug and later on to burning de Spain’s barn. “The contrast between the de Spain mansion and the Snopes tenant farmer shack highlights the terrible divide between owner and tenant in the ‘30s” (Byrne). After sundown, Abner plans to burn down de Spain’s barn, his wife tugs at his arm but he shoves her away, picks up his son and orders his wife to hold him and to not let him get away. Sarty is able to escape from his mother and runs to the house of Major de Spain before his dad and other brother show up with a can of kerosene. “He did not knock, he burst in, sobbing for breath, incapable for the moment of speech…” (Faulkner). Sarty informs de Spain of the danger of his father. De Spain was able to find Abner and oldest son, but Sarty started running, “after he heard the shot and, an