Sarty In William Faulkner's Barn Burning

William Faulkner’s ‘Barn Burning’ is the tale of a ten-year old boy by the name of Colonel “Sarty” Sartoris Snopes, his father, Abner “Ab” Snopes, and the difference between right and wrong. Sarty is in the courtroom along with his father, Abner Sartoris, who is on trial for arson. Sarty is contemplating the possibility of him having to testify in court for his father setting a barn on fire. He is afraid because he is unsure of what he would do; unfortunately, young Sarty doesn't know if he should tell the truth or lie on the behalf of his father. While in the courtroom, Sarty is torn between doing the right thing or remaining loyal to his family. Fortunately for Sarty the plaintiff, unlike his selfish father took pity on him and decided against …show more content…
Throughout the story Sarty has a great sense of right and wrong, unfortunately, his father’s actions were always evil. However, the young boy still loves his father and wants to see the exceptional traits in his father. Faulkner proved this throughout the story when the young boy consistently conjures excuses for his father's actions. Ultimately, Sarty could no longer create excuses for his father’s actions anymore. Sarty felt the de Spains were sincere people, and the reviewer feels this is the reason he warns them about his father burning their barn. Sarty made a conscience decision to do the right and noble thing. Incidentally, in Sarty's case the right thing caused for him to be disloyal to his father. Although Abner was an abusive, cynical, domineering, pyromaniac; he was still Sarty’s father, which he genuinely loved. Sarty knew all these atrocious things about his father, yet he still loved his father and felt the need to protect him. Sarty’s conscience compelled him to make an adult decision, which he did not fully think through, causing him to become an orphan and an adult at the age of