William Faulkner’s short story Barn Burning centralizes around a young, poor white boy named Sartoris Snopes, who faces a moral dilemma. Sartois’ father Abner Snopes, an arsonist, delights in ruining people’s property by burning their barns. After being accused in court of burning Mr. Harris’ barn, young Sartoris is asked to testify. Sartoris becomes conflicted with the idea of telling the truth of his father’s doings and lying to show his loyalty to his family. Towards the end of the story, Sartoris is once again faced with the same dilemma after his father decides to burn Major de Spain’s barn. In the midst of his father’s crimes, Sartoris believes his father to be brave for he served in the Civil War. Nonetheless, author Faulkner reveals
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He finds his financial situation demeaning and thus, tries to inflict some of his suffering to others. When Sartoris and his father go to visit Major De Spain, Abner steps on horse droppings. Without concern, Abner makes his way into De Spain’s home and leaves a very noticeable stain on his white carpet. Once Abner is asked to leave, he purposely leaves a “final long and fading smear” (Faulkner 805). At this moment, it is clearly implied that Abner detest people who are of a higher social class. It is obvious from early on that Abner felt dislike towards De Spain when he mentioned that he’ll have “a word with the man that aims to begin tomorrow owning me body and soul for the next eight months” (Faulkner 803). Eventually, De Spain requires Abner to clean the carpet. Dissatisfied with Abner’s job, he demands to be paid twenty bushels of corn to make up for the damages. To this, young Sartoris finds unfair and sides with his father and advices him not to pay De Spain nothing. Sartoris clearly knows the carpet situation was his father’s fault but because Sartoris is a Snopes, he will stand by his blood. Consequently, Abner goes to court once again on charges of damaging De Spain’s carpet and is then required to pay ten bushels of
He finds his financial situation demeaning and thus, tries to inflict some of his suffering to others. When Sartoris and his father go to visit Major De Spain, Abner steps on horse droppings. Without concern, Abner makes his way into De Spain’s home and leaves a very noticeable stain on his white carpet. Once Abner is asked to leave, he purposely leaves a “final long and fading smear” (Faulkner 805). At this moment, it is clearly implied that Abner detest people who are of a higher social class. It is obvious from early on that Abner felt dislike towards De Spain when he mentioned that he’ll have “a word with the man that aims to begin tomorrow owning me body and soul for the next eight months” (Faulkner 803). Eventually, De Spain requires Abner to clean the carpet. Dissatisfied with Abner’s job, he demands to be paid twenty bushels of corn to make up for the damages. To this, young Sartoris finds unfair and sides with his father and advices him not to pay De Spain nothing. Sartoris clearly knows the carpet situation was his father’s fault but because Sartoris is a Snopes, he will stand by his blood. Consequently, Abner goes to court once again on charges of damaging De Spain’s carpet and is then required to pay ten bushels of