The Character Abner Snopes In William Faulkner's Barn Burning

Barn Burning written by William Faulkner describes a typical situation between wealthy and poor people during the Civil War. In this story Faulkner shows what happens when individuals lose their connection to society and values. The main character Abner Snopes comes off as a rude, bossy, coldhearted individual. “He controls his family with both physical and psychological violence” Abner sharecrops in order to maintain and provide for his family even though he never lasts anywhere because he gets kicked out or pushed away. He always tries to blame other individuals for his wronging and actions. He derides wealthy people and that led him to start burning people’s barns out of revenge. Throughout the story, Abner is seen as a violent, cold-hearted, and misguided individual. Because he burned people’s barns he then suffered consequences and had been sentenced to go out of the country. When Abner was with his family before being sent off he showed no emotion, depth, or remorse towards the things he had done. Abner …show more content…
He could choose to violate societies rule because his dad is the one doing the crimes and he has to stay loyal to his family or if he should do what he innately thinks is right. Sarty then chooses for his dad to be responsible for the stuff he’s done and face real punishment for his justified crimes. Although in the beginning of the story Abner Snopes is depicted as an imprudent individual he develops some admirable traits throughout the story. Abner is seen like a misguided individual because he uses his power to control people throughout the story. Therefore, he develops a sense of justice because he wants to right the wrongs that were done to him, he does not want people to go through what he went through. He also acquires a sense of unity within his family when he says “you’re getting to be a man. you gotta learn to stick to your own blood or you ain’t going to have any blood to stick to you”